Plyometrics

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Plyometrics, also known as plyos, are exercises in which muscles exert maximum force in short intervals of time, and activate a rapid stretch-shortening cycle where muscles quickly alternate between states of extension and contraction. While commonly associated with jumping, plyometrics can also include explosive upper-body movements, such as plyometric push-ups, with the goal of increasing upper-body power (speed-strength). This training focuses on learning to move from a muscle extension to a contraction in a rapid or "explosive" manner, such as in specialized repeated jumping. The amortization phase (transition from extension to contraction) must be very brief, as a slow transition will not fully release elastic energy stored in the eccentric phase, and instead some stored energy leaks away as heat. For example, a person lands after jumping, safely absorbs any shock, and immediately recovers balance and energy. As the leg bends, the thigh (quadricep) muscles extend. The amortization...

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