A Little Controversy

Elite athletes, including professional and Olympic athletes, have used plyometric training for decades to increase their sports performance. Recreational athletes may need to approach this technique with caution. Although several guidelines have been proposed, there is nothing in place at this time to determine the ideal quantity or intensity of plyometric training.

So should you do plyometrics? It depends on your goals. If you are a recreational athlete who has no desire to compete or increase performance in any particular sport, you may not benefit from plyometrics. But if you have specific, sports-related goals, talk with a qualified trainer about adding plyometrics to your training. Before you do anything, though, understand the basics about plyometrics so that you stay safe and injury-free.

A Simple Example

You may not know exactly what plyometrics is, but without knowing it, you have probably done plyometric moves. Plyometrics is defined as enabling a muscle to reach maximal force in the shortest possible time. Pretend, for example, that you are trying to reach a book on a top shelf. You are going to jump for it, so you squat down a little and then you leap up to reach the book. That is plyometrics.

In its simplest terms, plyometrics means moving from a grounded position and exploding. It can also be seen in everyday movements like hopscotch, jump rope, or jumping jacks. You could also begin from an elevated position, such as a box, and move to the ground, which is an even more advanced version of plyometrics. Athletes training with plyometrics will do such plyometric moves in repetition, much like strength training exercises.

All About Muscles

The real story lies in the muscles. Imagine if you tried to jump for that book with straight legs. You could never do it. But if you drop into a preloaded position, bending the knees slightly almost like a squat, you can use the elasticity of the hip and leg muscles to propel you upward.

Who Should Train With Plyometrics?

Skiers, basketball players, volleyball players, and soccer players typically use explosive movements in their sports. Plyometrics might help volleyball players increase their vertical leap or skiers become more adept at handling moguls. To train for that demand, a skier might do something like side-to-side hops, bounding from one leg to another.

Basic Rules for Plyometric Training

To maximize the benefits, you should first understand some basics about plyometrics. Most importantly, before you begin doing plyometrics, you should have a base of muscular strength. Otherwise, you might injure yourself.

Because plyometrics is an intense training technique that replicates the stress you will be under in the sport you are training for, it should not be done every day or all year, depending on your goals. Instead, do what elite athletes do and break your training into different periods, a technique called periodization.

If you are training for a specific sport, introduce plyometrics into your preseason. For example, if you are a downhill skier, you might start plyometric training about two or three months before you hit the slopes.

Then, make sure you are training correctly for your sport. Ask a friend to videotape you. Or watch professional athletes in that sport and note how they move. Do they move forward and backward? Side to side? In other words, if you are a golfer, you have no need to build a vertical leap and would therefore train differently than a basketball player.

Remember that you are working your muscles at a high level of intensity. In this case, more does not mean better. In fact, if you feel fatigued, you have done too much. Instead, keep the repetitions low, possibly 5 to 10, and quit before you feel like you cannot be explosive in the movement.

Remember that progression of intensity and volume should be slow, with enough rest time between sets. As you improve, then you can increase volume. Once volume is maximized, then ramp up the intensity. If you are new to plyometrics, it is advisable to have a trainer.

Watch your body posture. Use the strength in your torso to keep your spine in neutral alignment. If you are jumping, try not to let your head bob from side to side.