The Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching Exercises on the Rehabilitation of Partial Rotator Cuff Tendon Tears in Some Swimmers
PNF, Rotator Cuff, Rotator Cuff Tear
AuthorsAbstractThe purpose of the present study was to determine what PNF (Proprioceptive Neutral Facilitation) stretching exercises contribute to recovery from partial tears of the rotator cuff tendons among swimmers. In order to realise the aims set for it, the study adopted an experimental design of the single-group type with a pre-measurement and a post-measurement. Ten (10) swimmers presenting with partial tears of the rotator cuff tendons formed the sample. A rehabilitative programme built upon PNF stretching exercises was prepared by the researchers. It extended over (8) weeks at a rate of (3) rehabilitative units weekly, each unit occupying between (25–30) minutes and organised so that the principle of gradually rising load in rehabilitation matched the functional condition of the injured swimmers. A group of measurements was relied upon: mobility of the shoulder in flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal abduction, horizontal adduction, internal rotation and external rotation, together with the strength of the musculature governing the shoulder and the level of pain, taken both before and after the rehabilitative programme. Statistically significant progress was registered across every variable of the study when the two measurements were set against each other. Mobility of the shoulder widened in every direction, the musculature surrounding the joint grew stronger, and the level of pain fell. Every difference lay on the side of the post-measurement, which points to the efficiency of the rehabilitative programme built upon PNF exercises in restoring partial rotator cuff tears among swimmers. The study recommends that these exercises be adopted within the rehabilitative programmes prepared for injured swimmers, and that further investigations be undertaken to set them against other rehabilitative approaches across varied age categories and sample sizes.
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