Plyometrics

What is plyometrics good for?

Plyometrics is one of the best ways to improve power. When a person performs a specific resistance movement, such as jumping, the fastest would be said to have more power. Therefore, power derives not just from the contraction of a muscle, but also how fast it contracts. Research has shown that a muscle will contract the fastest after it has been loaded. This is why you should be able to jump higher if you crouch down and then immediately jump up than if you would have had you started from the crouch. Research has shown that practicing plyometrics will decrease the time it takes for the muscles to contract, resulting in more power. 

Choose the method to fit the sport

The golden rule of any conditioning program is specificity. This means that the movement you perform in training should match, as closely as possible, the movements encountered during competition. Martial artists use all parts of their bodies, so they need to exercise both their upper and lower bodies.