Plyometrics

Plyometrics Speed and strength are integral components of fitness found in varying degrees in virtually all athletic movements. Simply put the combination of speed and strength is power. For many years, coaches and athletes have sought to improve power in order to enhance performance. Throughout this century and no doubt long before, jumping, bounding and hopping exercises have been used in various ways to enhance athletic performance. In recent years, this distinct method of training for power or explosiveness has been termed plyometrics. Plyometrics is based on the understanding that a concentric muscular contraction is much stronger if it immediately follows an eccentric contraction of the same muscle.

What are pylometrics?

Plyometrics Plyometrics is a way of training specific muscular power. It can be done as a training session on its own, or combined as a station in with a weight/circuit training session. Plyometrics involves eccentric muscle contraction (stretching of the muscle) followed by a rapid concentric contraction (shortening of the muscle) to provide an explosive movement. It primarily involves leaping, bounding, hopping, skipping and rebounding activities. The speed component is vital, and it links in closely with strength and power training. A word of warning with plyometric training: because of the explosive nature of the activity, the risk of injury is high. As a result, you need to be well warmed up, have a good level of strength already, not perform them when you are fatigued and provide suitable footwear and shock absorption on the landing. Check the stress index below for a suitable starting level and a guide to recovery.

What is plyometrics?