Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on flexibility and neuromuscular performance in gymnastics: a systematic review
- 1Faculty of Sports Sciences, Coaching Education Department, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Campus Street, Tekirdağ, 59010 Türkiye
- 2Faculty of Sports Sciences, Sport Management Department, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Campus Street, Tekirdağ, 59010 Türkiye
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this review is to describe the available evidence on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation interventions in gymnastics and to identify the limitations of the current evidence base.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus and SPORTDiscus identified five studies that met the eligibility criteria. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed via the ROBINS-I tool. The included studies exhibited heterogeneity in study design, sample size, interventions, and outcomes.
Results: Three studies assessed neuromuscular outcomes, examining muscle contractile properties, strength, stability, and activation patterns; however, the findings were inconsistent and did not permit definitive conclusions. A comparative trial reported no significant effects on leg or vertical stiffness following acute PNF application, while a small rehabilitation study provided only preliminary descriptive data after an 8‑week intervention, without inferential statistical support.
Conclusion: Overall, the certainty of evidence is very low according to GRADE assessment; therefore, current findings are exploratory and insufficient to establish effectiveness. The primary contribution of this review is to highlight the evidence and knowledge gaps, underscoring the need for robust, adequately powered trials before any clinical or training recommendations can be made.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5.
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BibTeX
@article{kara2026effects,
title = {{Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on flexibility and neuromuscular performance in gymnastics: a systematic review}},
author = {Erhan Kara and Serkan Aydın and Sercan Öncen and Arif Kaan Eroğlu},
journal = {BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on flexibility and neuromuscular performance in gymnastics: a systematic review
AU - Erhan Kara
AU - Serkan Aydın
AU - Sercan Öncen
AU - Arif Kaan Eroğlu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/08
JO - BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
DO - 10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5
AB - Background: The purpose of this review is to describe the available evidence on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation interventions in gymnastics and to identify the limitations of the current evidence base. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus and SPORTDiscus identified five studies that met the eligibility criteria. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed via the ROBINS-I tool. The included studies exhibited heterogeneity in study design, sample size, interventions, and outcomes. Results: Three studies assessed neuromuscular outcomes, examining muscle contractile properties, strength, stability, and activation patterns; however, the findings were inconsistent and did not permit definitive conclusions. A comparative trial reported no significant effects on leg or vertical stiffness following acute PNF application, while a small rehabilitation study provided only preliminary descriptive data after an 8‑week intervention, without inferential statistical support. Conclusion: Overall, the certainty of evidence is very low according to GRADE assessment; therefore, current findings are exploratory and insufficient to establish effectiveness. The primary contribution of this review is to highlight the evidence and knowledge gaps, underscoring the need for robust, adequately powered trials before any clinical or training recommendations can be made. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01966-5.
SN - 2052-1847
ER -