Plyometrics: A Look at the Biomechanical Basis of Its Use in the Realm of Sports Performance Enhancement and Physical Rehabilitation

Plyometrics is a rather new and somewhat foreign concept that is becoming more popular in athletic training programs in the hopes of providing optimal gains in power, which is difficult to obtain by other means of exercise. With its increasing acceptance in the athletic environment, it is also being incorporated into rehabilitation programs as a means of providing strength and proprioceptive feedback.Little is currently known about the principles that govern the use of plyometrics and the efficacy that has been demonstrated with this training method. The purpose of this independent study is to analyze the basic concepts underlying plyometrics and to examine its role in both the athletic and rehabilitative environments. With the information provided in this Independent Study, it is hoped that those who take advantage of plyometrics can better understand the biomechanics involved that lead to its demonstrated success.