Effects of Neuromuscular Joint Facilitation on Electromechanical Reaction Time of Rectus Femoris

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2012, Vol.24(1), pp.55-57
• Main Authors: Huo, Ming, Ge, Meng, Li, Desheng, Huang, Qiuchen, Maruyama, Hitoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electromyography; Exercise; Health; Human subjects; Joints; Knees; Measurement; Motor control; Motor time; Neuromuscular joint facilitation; Premotor time; Reaction time
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.24.55

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the change in the electromechanical (EMG) reaction time (RT) of the human rectus femoris after neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) treatment. [Subjects] The subjects were 17 healthy males who were divided into two groups: a NJF group and a control group. The NJF group consisted of 10 subjects, and the control group consisted of 7 subjects. [Methods] Participants in the NJF group received NJF treatment. We measured the EMG-RT, the premotor time (PMT) and the motor time (MT) during knee extension movement before, immediately after, and 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the intervention. [Results] There were no significant differences among the results of the control group. For the NJF group, there were significant differences in EMG-RT and PMT between pre- and post-intervention, and 10 and 30 minutes after exercise, and there was significant difference in MT between pre- and post-intervention. [Conclusion] NJF intervention shortens not only PMT but also MT, which indicates that NJF is effective for both premotor and motor processes.