Which technique sequence explicitly includes antagonist contraction as part of the pattern, namely CRAC?

Which technique sequence explicitly includes antagonist contraction as part of the pattern, namely CRAC?

• A. CRAC = contract, relax, antagonist contract
• B. Hold relax stretching technique
• C. Post isometric relaxation MET
• D. Post facilitation stretch (PFS)

Answer: (A)

CRAC is a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching sequence that explicitly uses an antagonist contraction after the initial relaxation to gain more length. The pattern follows contract, relax, antagonist contract, so after the muscle to be stretched is contracted and then relaxed, the opposite muscle (the antagonist) is contracted. This antagonist activation triggers reciprocal inhibition, allowing the target muscle to lengthen further when the therapist moves into a new stretch. This explicit antagonist contraction step is what sets CRAC apart from other patterns that do not include this phase.

CRAC is a Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching sequence that explicitly uses an antagonist contraction after the initial relaxation to gain more length. The pattern follows contract, relax, antagonist contract, so after the muscle to be stretched is contracted and then relaxed, the opposite muscle (the antagonist) is contracted. This antagonist activation triggers reciprocal inhibition, allowing the target muscle to lengthen further when the therapist moves into a new stretch. This explicit antagonist contraction step is what sets CRAC apart from other patterns that do not include this phase.