Matthew Majka is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist living in Melbourne Australia. He runs his own practice called Empower Health Concepts. Matthew is considered a movement specialist in sport specific training and rehabilitation. Most notably in skill acquisition and injuries from novice to elite athletes in basketball, dancing, soccer and running.
What is Plyometrics?
You may have heard of this term being thrown around loosely by professionals. Has something to do with jumping or something…?
Brace yourself momentarily for some technical jargon, before we delve deeper.
Plyometrics is a training system that focuses on fast, powerful movements to improve functions of the nervous and muscular system.
Plyometrics are based upon the concept whereby the muscle is contracted eccentrically (loaded) then immediately contracted concentrically.
Think of it this way – Your muscles act like a spring. Push your hand down on the spring (load it) then take your hand off (unload it) and the spring will recoil and propel itself into the air. You can create different angles for the spring (your muscles) to propel you vertically, horizontally, diagonally.
Much easier to digest!
What is it used for?
Plyometrics is one of the most efficient ways to increase power, to improve athletic performance. Used in sports that require fast powerful movements.
Some examples include:
– Short distance sprinting
– Jumping in basketball and volley ball
– Quick change of direction used in team sports such as soccer, hockey, rugby, netball
– High jump and long jump
Related Article: Exercise Physiology: It’s An Active Approach Not A Passive One
Getting it right – Biomechanics 101
For those of you that enjoy mathematics and analysing things, please read this section. If you just want to get the general idea, skip this part!
Power is how much work is done in a specific amount of time.
P = U / t
P = power
U = work done
t = time taken to do the work
The power we produce in our movements originates in our muscles.
As a muscles velocity of contraction increases, its maximum force of contraction decreases.
A muscle contracting slowly can produce a greater force, than a muscle contracting fast.
The simplified version below…
Ok we’re back, if you don’t have a solid foundation of strength, you WILL NOT be able to produce power efficiently.
A vertical jump requires the athlete to produce a large amount of force in a very short period of time to get up in the air. If you lack strength and stability, you won’t produce much power, and will struggle to jump higher.
How much strength do you need?
Clearly, a fundamental relationship exists between strength and power. One cannot possess a high level of power without first being relatively strong.
______________________________________________________________________________
To give you an idea of how much strength is required see the below formulas:
Weight lifting exercises especially the squat performed with loads ranging from 50% – 90% of 1RM appears to be the most potent loading stimulus.
Various articles and suggestions also state being able to lift 1.5 – 1.75 x BW (body weight) on a squat.
______________________________________________________________________________
One thing is for certain, you need to start with relatively high levels of strength before beginning eccentric loading exercises like box jumps, depth jumps, sprinting and single legged landing exercises.
Gravity – Friend or Foe?
Put simply, if you lack strength and flexibility and don’t train your muscles to ensure they are healthy and strong, then gravity will definitely be your foe.
So here’s how it works – skeleton holds us up, muscles hold skeleton.
If we combine our muscle strength with explosive powerful movement training, we effectively give our body the chance to become faster runners, higher and longer jumpers and a better ability to change direction quickly.
Muscles help cushion and reduce the amount of ground reaction forces going through your joints, whether it be standing, sitting, running or jumping.
A lack of muscular strength is partly the reason for being injury prone, and early onset of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Regardless of whether you are interested in doing plyometrics or just wanted to be healthier, moral of the story…
IT IS VITAL TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MUSCLES THROUGH RESISTANCE TRAINING AND KEEP THEM STRONG!
Happy training everybody!
Interested in training Plyometrics?
Matthew runs his very own 12 Week Plyometrics Program – Rubix Plyometrics
Want to know more about Exercise Physiology services, and how it can help you?
Click here to get in touch with Matthew fron Empower Health Concepts:
References:
Cormie, P. McGuigan, M. and Newton, R. (2011). Developing Neuromuscular Power. Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(2), pp. 125-145.
Crotty, J. and Stanley, P. (2011). Introduction and Development of Plyometrics for Jumpers. Modern Athlete and Coach, 49(2), pp. 24-27.
McGinnis, P. (2006). Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise. Second Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 112-113.
