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 .
Pre- and postmenopausal women have different bone mineral density responses to the same high-impact exercise.
The effects of a vertical jumping exercise regime on bone mineral density ( BMD ) have been assessed using r and omized controlled trials in both pre- and postmenopausal women , the latter stratified for  hormone replacement therapy ( HRT ) . Women were screened for contraindications or medication likely to influence bone . The premenopausal women were at least 12 months postpartum and not lactating ; the postmenopausal women had been stable on , or off , HRT for the previous 12 months and throughout the study .  BMD was measured blind using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the spine ( L2-L4 ) and the proximal femur . The exercise consisted of 50 vertical jumps on 6 days/week of mean height 8.5 cm , which produced mean ground reactions of 3.0 times body weight in the young women and 4.0 times in the older women . In the premenopausal women , the exercise result ed in a significant increase of 2.8 % in femoral BMD after 5 months ( p < 0.001 , n = 31 ) . This change was significantly greater ( p < 0.05 ) than that found in the control group ( n = 26 ) . In the postmenopausal women , there was no significant difference between the exercise and control groups after 12 months ( total n = 123 ) nor after 18 months ( total n = 38 ) . HRT status did not affect this outcome , at least up to 12 months . It appears that premenopausal women respond positively to this brief high-impact exercise but postmenopausal women do not
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 .