Contralateral effects of upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns.

Electromyography was used to determine the presence of electrical activity in the nonexercised latissimus dorsi, infraspinatus, and pectoralis major muscles while the contralateral limb underwent the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern of flexion, abduction, external rotation with elbow straight and extension, adduction, internal rotation with elbow straight. Activity was present in all of these muscles during both components of the pattern. There was no significant difference in activity for the pectoralis major muscle during the flexor as compared to extensor component. The infraspinatus was more active during the flexor component, while the latissimus dorsi was more active during the extensor component. These results could be used in planning a treatment program for patients who are unable to exercise one of their upper extremities and who could benefit from the contralateral effects of upper extremity proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns.