| 2005 |
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YEAR BOOK |
Institute of Technology Carlow
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Strength and conditioning
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| Jump training |
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Current postgraduate studies focus on strength and conditioning which have a role to play in injury prevention and performance enhancement. Researchers at the Institute are examining jump training, otherwise known as plyometrics or stretch-shortening exercises. Plyometrics are a variety of jumping exercises that can be employed to enhance the neuromuscular system of the human body. The most intensive form of plyometrics is known as drop jumping. This is performed by the subject dropping from a predetermined height and on landing, jumping immediately for maximum height. A number of methods exist to determine the optimal drop height for drop jump training in order to overload the neuromuscular system to an appropriate level.
Recently, a new method was proposed which has been termed the Reactive Strength Index. This particular method makes use of jump height and contact time during the landing phase to determine the optimal drop height. Researchers are examining the effectiveness of using the Reactive Strength Index to determine the optimal drop height in depth jump training, where depth jump training is used to improve countermovement jump performance. A countermovement jump is a vertical jump that utilises an initial movement to enhance the height achieved when jumping vertically. In essence, the maximum height is achieved by making use of the elastic properties of muscle.
Countermovement jumps are used in a variety of sports including Hurling, Gaelic Football, Soccer, Rugby and Volleyball. Jump training can also improve power output for particular track and field events. Jump training or plyometrics has become an essential component of an individual's physical conditioning to prevent injury and to optimise performance in a variety of sporting events.
Contact: Paul Byrne, Department of Science and Health,
Institute of Technology Carlow, Kilkenny Road, Carlow;
Tel: 059 9170533; E-mail: [email protected]