Tracing the Roots of Plyometrics

Have you heard of plyometrics? You know, although this term is being used quite a lot, especially by dedicated athletes, there are only a chosen few who knows truthfully as to how this technique actually works. The purpose of this article is to provide you with quick glimpse on how and where plyometrics all began! Read on and find out more about this highly effective and super powerful technique.

If you are to trace the roots of this type of training, the trail will lead you towards the eastern part of the globe. In the beginning, plyometrics was simply referred to as jump training and was utilized mostly by eastern athletes who are to compete in the Olympics. It was not such a big deal back then.

However, the moment when numerous countries that hails from the east started to rule and dominate several fields of sports, it became an instant hit and a lot of coaches and trainers from the other end of the globe wanted to know more about it since they believe that this form of training is the secret ingredient that gave most of the eastern countries their victories.

During the 1920’s, plyometrics were only utilized by athletes who participated in the sport of track and field. Track and field coaches made it a point to inject plyometrics workouts into their athlete’s training regimen. It was in the mid seventies when other fields of sports began to incorporate plyometrics into their workout program, especially those sports which required explosive power throughout the competition.

The name was taken from the word “pleythyein”, which is a Greek word meaning “to enhance or increase”. The name plyometrics that you know today was coined by American coach Fred Wilt in circa 1975.

Basically, plyometrics is a type of exercise which is specially designed to create powerful and rapid movements. The prime purpose of this type of workout is to improve an athlete’s overall performance regardless of whatever sport he or she plays. These days, it is difficult to find a jump program that does not make use of plyometrics since it has been proven that plyos are the best way in order for you to jump farther and explosively higher.