The P.N.F. (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) methodology is more effective than stretching, but also more complex, and for this purpose requires the help of a partner with considerable specific experience.

All it takes is a mistake in execution to risk muscle injury (e.g., early stretching of the muscle before the isometric contraction is finished). Therefore, this technique is reserved only for those particular situations where poor mobility of a joint is particularly decisive in adversely affecting the athletic gesture.

Widely used in rehabilitation, the P.N.F. method offers several variations, all based on a succession of muscle contraction-relaxation-stretching.

The special feature that distinguishes it from classical stretching is mainly the isometric contraction to be performed before stretching. This action is justified by the fact that the contraction triggers the stretch reflex mechanism, which allows further relaxation of the muscle, and thus in turn the possibility of greater extensibility.