d. practitioners have assumed that the prestretch contraction causes a reflexive relaxation accompanied by a decrease in electromyographic (EMG) activity in the tight muscle. Some investigators have refuted this assumption, whereas others have supported it. In two studies, a postcontraction sensory discharge (increased EMG activity) was identified in the muscle to be lengthened. This indicated that the muscle to be stretched was not effectively relaxed. In another study, no postcontraction elevation in EMG activity was found with the use of the contract-relax technique.