What are Plyometrics?
Plyometrics are movements that involve jumping, hopping, bounding, pitching or throwing and catching weighted objects such as medicine balls, pushing off with the arms such as hitting a push up while “getting air.”
All plyometrics involve a rapid eccentric (meaning lengthening) and concentric (meaning shortening) muscle action. This form of training when executed correctly and implemented in a carefully organized progression can enhance all sports.
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What can plyometrics do for a runner?
- Plyometrics can enhance power in making a runner far stronger, while reducing the risk for injury.
- Plyometrics enhance mobility to joints, ligaments and tendons.
- Plyometrics make your running more efficient and faster, having better control while running.
- Pyometrics improve the spring in your running gait, allowing the body to absorb (coil) energy, and then release the energy (uncoil) with each stride taken.
- Plyometrics can improve upper body and core strength as well as lower body strength which give the runner that edge by allowing the entire body to engage and share the workload.
Many runners simply run, training sport-specific while trying to achieve their results. Plyometrics introduce a challenge and training method that can only make the runner stronger, more efficient, while keeping them injury free if incorporated in a safe and organized progression.
Power up your training with plyometrics this season. Contact Amy for a Newton Natural Running consultation in the metro Phoenix area and put plyometrics to work in your running.