Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching combined with Kinesio taping for hamstring flexibility in amateur athletes: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Introduction This study investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), Kinesio® tape (KT), and PNF combined with KT (PNF + KT) for hamstring flexibility and jumping performance in amateur athletes with hamstring tightness. Methods Overall, 128 amateur athletes were randomly assigned to the PNF (n = 32), KT (n = 32), PNF + KT (n = 32) or control group (n = 32). Flexibility was assessed with active straight leg raise (ASLR) test with a digital goniometer. Performance was evaluated by vertical jump (VJ) and triple hop distance (THD) tests. All measurements were performed by a blinded assessor 3 times: at baseline, immediately after the interventions, and 30 minutes after the interventions. Results Amateur athletes receiving PNF or KT or PNF + KT demonstrated a greater increase in ASLR and THD tests from baseline to post-intervention scores (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.001 for ASLR; p = 0.001 in all groups for THD, respectively) and from baseline to 30 minutes after intervention (p = 0.001 in all groups for ASLR; p = 0.001 in all groups for THD, respectively). Nevertheless, only the PNF + KT group presented a greater increase in VJ test from baseline to post-intervention scores (p = 0.02). Besides, the effect sizes for the PNF + KT group were higher than in the other groups in all parameters. Conclusions PNF + KT might be more effective in increasing hamstring flexibility and jumping performance in amateur athletes with hamstring tightness than each method alone.