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Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching at low intensities has been rarely investigated. Previous studies have shown that hamstring flexibility after stretching is only temporary. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low intensities (40% and 10% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction, MVIC) of PNF stretching on hamstring muscles and to assess the effect of standing toe touch on the duration of hamstring flexibility. This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four healthy adults (age, 22.67 ± 1.73 years) were selected and divided into four groups: 40% intensity PNF stretching (P40), 10% intensity PNF stretching (P10), 40% intensity PNF stretching with toe touch (P40 with TT), and 10% intensity PNF stretching with toe touch (P10 with TT). Hamstring flexibility was measured using the active knee extension test (pre-stretching, post-stretching, and 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 min after PNF stretching). In the P40, P40 with TT, and P10 with TT groups, significant changes were observed at all time points after stretching (p < 0.05). In the P10 group, significant changes were only observed immediately post stretching (p = 0.006) and at 3 min (p = 0.029) after stretching. In terms of maintaining the duration of flexibility, the P40 with TT and P10 with TT groups were superior to the P40 and P10 groups. PNF stretching at low intensity, approaching 40% of MVIC, led to more flexibility than 10% MVIC. Additionally, standing toe touch after PNF stretching is recommended to develop and maintain hamstring flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low-intensity exercise on neuroplasticity and memory performance in young Wistar adult rats. Neuroplasticity was determined by altering the expression of proteins such as synaptophysin, neuroligin-1, AMPAR, NMDAR, and PSD-95 in the rat hippocampus. Six-month-old rats were randomly divided into Sedentary (Sed) and Exercise (Ex) Groups. Exercise rats had better spatial memory compared to sedentary rats. This result was shown by a reduction in both the time travelled and the total error in the Water-E Maze task (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining showed that exercise rats had higher optical density scores of both pre- and postsynaptic proteins compared to sedentary rats (P<0.05). In conclusion, the findings indicate that the low-intensity exercise improves spatial learning and memory, as shown by increased neuroplasticity and synaptic maturation in young Wistar adult rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]