The Immediate Effects of Static versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching with Kinesiology Taping on Hamstring Flexibility in Teenage Taekwondo Players

This study evaluated the acute responses to static stretching versus the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching technique with and without applying kinesio tape on hamstring muscle flexibility, as scarce evidence exists in this field.

Twenty teenage professional black/red belt taekwondo players participated in this study. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and static hamstring stretching was performed for both legs of each subject. Then a Y-shape Kinesio Tape (KT) with 30% tension was applied over one leg chosen randomly. Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) were performed at base line, immediately and 24 hours after interventions.

Repeated measures ANOVA was used to statistically analyze the data. PSLR test results demonstrated a significant increase in hamstring flexibility over time, while the AKET results showed no significant changes. No significant differences were observed between PNF and Static stretch (SS) or the KT and Non-Taped (NT) groups immediately or after 24 hours.

The current study showed that there is no superiority in SS or PNF stretching techniques for increasing hamstring flexibility, and using KT over stretched muscles could not help improve flexibility.