The Effect of Diagonal Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Movement on Shoulder Joint Range of Motion in Basketball Players with Chronic Shoulder Injuries

Abstract

Background

Chronic shoulder injury is a common condition among basketball athletes due to repetitive overhead movements and high mechanical demands on the shoulder joint. One of the primary functional consequences of chronic shoulder injury is a reduction in shoulder range of motion (ROM), which may interfere with sport-specific performance and rehabilitation outcomes. Exercise-based interventions that emphasize functional movement patterns are therefore essential to restore optimal shoulder mobility in athletes.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the effect of diagonal proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises on shoulder range of motion in basketball athletes with chronic shoulder injury.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted involving 28 male basketball athletes with chronic shoulder injury. Participants were randomly assigned to a diagonal PNF intervention group (n = 14) or a control group (n = 14). The intervention group performed diagonal PNF exercises (D1 and D2 patterns) three times per week for one week, while the control group continued routine activities without additional intervention. Shoulder ROM, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation, was measured using a goniometer before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired-sample and independent-sample t-tests with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results

The diagonal PNF intervention group showed significant improvements in shoulder extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation (p < 0.05). No significant improvement was observed in shoulder flexion between groups (p > 0.05). Posttest comparisons indicated that the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater ROM gains than the control group in most movement directions.

Conclusion

Diagonal proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises are effective in improving shoulder range of motion in basketball athletes with chronic shoulder injury. These findings support the use of diagonal PNF as a functional and sport-specific rehabilitation strategy to enhance shoulder mobility in athletic populations.