Compare and contrast the two forms of PNF stretching and explain the role of the agonist muscle in ...

Contract-relax (CR) and contract-relax/antagonist contract (CRAC) are the two common types of PNF stretching. In the contract-relax (CR) stretch technique, you first contract the muscle to be stretched, then relax it. After you relax the muscle, you slowly stretch it. The CRAC method calls for the same contract-relax routine but then you contract the antagonist muscle, which is the muscle on the opposite side of the joint. The purpose of contracting the antagonist muscle is to promote a reflex relaxation of the muscle to be stretched.