Heat Up your Warm Up with Plyometrics

 

Plyometrics Acutely Enhance Jumping Performance

 

A recently published study involving professional rugby players showed that a
series of plyometric jumps performed prior to countermovement jumps improved
the height and peak force of the countermovement jumps.

 

Practical Application: Performing jumps prior to a training session or
competition during a warm up may improve performance.

 

Tobin DP, Delahunt E. The acute effect of a plyometric stimulus on jump
performance in professional rugby players. J Strength Cond Res. 2013. [Epup
ahead of print]

 

Plyometrics Preferentially Recruit Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers

 

A study analyzing the effects of a high volume jumping protocol, involving 10
sets of 10 squat jumps, revealed that fast twitch fibers sustained the
greatest amount of damage.

 

Practical Application: Plyometric exercises involve the rapid activation of
fast twitch muscle fibers. Performing a set or two of low rep squat jumps
prior to lower body training may help you reactivate fast twitch muscle fibers
during squats and deadlifts.

 

Macaluso F, Isaacs AW, Myburgh KH. Preferential type II muscle fiber damage
from plyometric exercise. J Athl Train. 2012;47(4):414-420.

 

 

Depth Jumps May Improve Squat Performance

 

A study involving depth jumps performed prior to assessment of one rep maximum
squat strength, noted improvements in performance in the jump groups versus
the control group. The group who jumped from 30 cm showed the greatest
improvement in squat performance (1). An earlier study also including depth
jumps also illustrated their capacity to improve squat performance (2).

 

Practical Application: Depth jumps performed from lower heights (approximately
30 cm) may improve lower body strength performance.

 

1. Brandenburg J, Czajka A. The acute effects of performing drop
jumps of different intensities on concentric squat strength. J Sports Med Phys
Fitness. 2010;50(3):254-261.

2. Masamoto N, Larson R, Gates T, et al. Acute effects of
plyometric exercise on maximum squat performance in male athletes. J Strength
Cond Res. 2003;17(1):68-71.

 

Upper Body Plyometrics Improve Bench Press Performance

 

A study involving twelve male college athletes revealed that performing two
plyometric push ups or two medicine ball chest passes 30 seconds prior to a
one rep max bench press attempt improves maximum bench press performance.

 

Practical Application: Plyometric push ups and explosive medicine ball tosses
may be effective in activating the muscles of the chest, deltoids, and
triceps. Furthermore, the plyo push ups and med ball tosses could serve as a
useful tool in teaching the athlete movement intention. Though the load on the
bar may be heavy relative to the lifter, the goal of any one rep maximum
exercise is to move the bar with great speed.

 

Wilcox J, Larson R, Brochu KM, et al. Acute explosive-force movements enhance
bench-press performance in athletic men. Int J Sports Physiol Perform.
2006;1(3):261-269.

 

Based on extrapolations from the research and a number of years in the
trenches, I have assembled a list of considerations that you may find helpful
if you wish you incorporate plyometric exercises within your warm ups.

 

Programming Considerations

 

– Plyometrics performed during the warm up should never be
performed with a high volume or to failure.

– Plyometric exercises should be performed immediately prior
to the first strength exercise of the day.

– Plyometric exercises used during the warm up should
closely mimic the demands of the strength exercise which will be performed
next. For instance, broad jumps before deadlifts, squat jumps before squats,
and supine med ball tosses or plyometric push ups before bench presses.

– The number of reps should be limited to five or fewer to
ensure proper technical execution and to limit neuromuscular fatigue.

– The plyometric exercises can be performed beyond the warm
up and concurrent with the first strength exercise, either between sets
(contrast training) or prior to maximum attempts.

– For strength athletes, plyometrics should never be
performed during deloads

– For other athletes, the volume of plyometric training
should be reduced during the course of the season.

– Before plyometrics are included within one’s programming,
which includes warm ups, they should be capable of benching at least their own
bodyweight, squatting and deadlifting at least 1.5 times their bodyweight.

– Research has indicated that plyometric training enhances
tendon stiffness, causing your body to rely on your muscles to absorb and
redirect force. Keep in mind that stiffness equates to more stability and more
stability lends itself to greater strength.

– Plyometrics should be reduced or eliminated from the warm
ups if athletes are performing them separately in their training]]>