Objective To explore the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) rehabilitation training on functional recovery of athletic rotator cuff injury. Methods Twenty-two college students with athletic rotator cuff injuries were stratified according to their gender and randomly divided into resistance band + passive joint range of motion (ROM) training group (control group) and PNF training group (experimental group). The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate subjective pain intensity of the shoulder joint. Pain positive rate for each manipulation test of rotator cuff injury was observed, and active ROM and muscle strength of the shoulder joint were measured. Improved UCLA shoulder joint score was used to evaluate comprehensive function of the shoulder joint. Results After training, VAS scores and pain positive rate in two groups were lower than those before training, and VAS scores and pain positive rate in experimental group were lower than those in control group. Muscle strength, active ROM in all directions and improved UCLA score of the shoulder joint in two groups were also higher than those before training, and the internal rotation muscle strength, the internal rotation and external rotation active ROM, improved UCLA score of the shoulder joint in experimental group were higher than those in control group. Conclusions PNF rehabilitation training can reduce the pain of athletic rotator cuff injury, improve the active ROM, muscle strength and UCLA shoulder joint score. The function recovery effect of PNF training is better than that of resistance band + passive ROM training.