Immediate Effects of Lunge and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Pattern Exercises on Vertical Jump Performance and Balance in Young Adults

Purpose: This study compared the immediate effects of lunge exercise and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern exercises on the vertical jump performance and balance ability in young adults.Methods: Thirty-three healthy young adults participated in this study.The participants were assigned randomly to either a forward lunge exercise group (n= 16) or a lower-extremity PNF pattern exercise group (n= 17).The vertical jump performance was measured using Optogait, and balance ability was assessed using the I-Balance system under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions.Measurements were performed before and immediately after the intervention.The data were analyzed using paired t-tests and two-way repeated measures ANOVA.Results: The vertical jump height increased by 0.98 ± 3.60cm and 3.44± 2.03cm in the lunge exercise group (p= 0.291) and PNF pattern exercise group (p= 0.001), respectively, with a significant group× time interaction (p= 0.018).Under the eyes-open condition, no significant changes in balance were observed in either group.Under the eyes-closed condition, the center-of-gravity distance decreased by 0.19± 0.20mm and 0.13± 0.21mm in the lunge exercise group (p= 0.002) and PNF pattern exercise group (p= 0.020), respectively, with no significant group× time interaction (p= 0.395).Conclusion: PNF pattern exercise was more effective in improving vertical jump performance than lunge exercise, while both interventions were effective in enhancing balance under eyes-closed conditions.Hence, PNF pattern exercise may be a more effective intervention for immediate improvement of explosive performance, whereas both exercises can be beneficial for balance enhancement.