Conclusion Plyometric training is a feasible and safe training option with potential for improving various performance , functional , and health-related outcomes in older persons
Background The aging process is associated with a progressive decline of neuromuscular function , increased risk of falls and fractures , impaired functional performance , and loss of independence .
Plyometric training may mitigate or even reverse such age-related deterioration ; however , little research on the effects of plyometric exercises has been performed in older adults .
Objective The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of plyometric training in older adults .
Effect of elastic energy and myoelectrical potentiation of triceps surae during stretch-shortening cycle exercise.
Stretching of an activated muscle prior to its shortening enhances its performance during the concentric contraction . This phenomenon has been interpreted to be primarily due to the utilization of elastic energy stored in the series elastic elements of the muscle during the stretch . However , reflex potential has also been suggested as an additional cause for performance increase . To examine this hypothesis five subjects performed maximal vertical jumps on a force platform  from two different starting positions : ( a ) maximal plantar flexion from a static position ( SJ ) ( pure concentric contraction ) , ( b ) a toe-st and ing position with preliminary counter-movement ( CMJ ) . In this condition the calf muscles were actively stretched before concentric work . In both conditions the knee and hip joints were fixed . The results indicated that the utilization of the stretch-shortening cycle enhanced the performance over that of the pure concentric contraction ( P less than 0.001 ) . Similarly , the EMG recording demonstrated that in all five subjects the myoelectrical activity of the calf muscles ( mm . gastrocnemius and soleus ) was potentiated during the concentric phase in CMJ when compared to SJ ( P less than 0.001 ) . Therefore , the increase in performance was attributed to a combination of utilization of elastic energy and myoelectrical potentiation of muscle activation
Conclusion Plyometric training is a feasible and safe training option with potential for improving various performance , functional , and health-related outcomes in older persons
Background The aging process is associated with a progressive decline of neuromuscular function , increased risk of falls and fractures , impaired functional performance , and loss of independence .
Plyometric training may mitigate or even reverse such age-related deterioration ; however , little research on the effects of plyometric exercises has been performed in older adults .
Objective The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of plyometric training in older adults .