Chapter 18: Program Design and Technique for Plyometric Training Flashcards
Plyometric Exercise
- Refers to those activities that enable a muscle to reach maximal force in the shortest possible time
- Quick, powerful movement using a pre-stretch, or countermovement, that involves the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)
What is the purpose of plyometric exercise?
Increase the power of subsequent movements by using both the natural elastic components of muscle and tendon and the stretch reflex
Considerations for plyometric training
- Mechanics and physiology of plyometric exercise
- Principles of plyometric training program design
- Methods of safely and effectively performing specific plyometric exercises
Power
The term used to define the force-speed relationship with muscle action
Models explaining increased muscle force and power as a result of plyometric training
- Mechanical
- Neurophysiological
Mechanical Model for Plyometric Exercise
- Elastic energy in the musculotendinous components is increased with a rapid stretch and then stored
- When this movement is immediately followed by a concentric muscle action, the stored elastic energy is released
- Force production improved
Additional considerations for mechanical model
If a concentric action does not occur immediately following the eccentric action, or if the eccentric phase is too long, stored energy dissipates
Neurophysiological Model
Involves the potentiation of the concentric muscle action by use of the stretch reflex
Potentiation
Change in the force-velocity characteristics of the muscle’s contractile components caused by stretch
Stretch Reflex
- The body’s involuntary response to an external stimulus that stretches the muscles
- Plyometric exercise uses primarily muscle spindles
Muscle Spindles
- Proprioceptive organs that are sensitive to the rate and magnitude of a stretch
- When a quick stretch is detected, muscular activity reflexively increases
Stretch-Shortening Cycle
Employs the energy storage capabilities of the SEC and stimulation of the stretch reflex to facilitate a maximal increase in muscle recruitment over a minimal amount of time
Phases of the SSC
I- Eccentric
II- Amortization
III- Concentric
Eccentric Phase of SSC
Action: - Stretch of the agonist muscle Physiological Event: - Elastic energy is stored in the series elastic component - Muscle spindles are stimulated
Amortization Phase of SSC
Action:
- Pause between phases I and III
Physiological Event:
- Type Ia afferent nerves synapse with alpha motor neurons
- Alpha motor neurons transmit signals to agonist muscle group
Concentric Phase of SSC
Action:
- Shortening of agonist muscle fibers
Physiological Event:
- Elastic energy is released from the series elastic component
- Alpha motor neurons stimulate the agonist muscle group
Plyometric Training Program Design Considerations
- Needs Analysis
- Mode
- Intensity
- Frequency
- Recovery
- Volume
- Program Length
- Progression
- Warm-up
Needs Analysis
Evaluate the sport, sport position, and training status
Mode
- Mode for training is determined by the body region performing the given exercise
- Lower Body
- Upper Body
- Trunk
Lower Body Plyometrics
Appropriate for virtually any athlete and any sport
Upper Body Plyometrics
Not used as often as those for the lower body
Trunk Plyometrics
- Difficult to perform true plyometric drill directly affecting the trunk, not all prerequisites may be present
- Stretch reflex is not sufficiently involved
Intensity for Plyometric Training
Generally, as intensity increases, volume should decrease