In most anaerobically competitive sports, athletes need strong, explosive muscles to achieve optimum performance. Muscular endurance and plyometrics aid muscles in achieving this ideal and require strong maintenance and care to function, especially in aging athletes. According to CoachR.org, the goal of any athletic training program is to improve the specific physical capacities needed for that sport.
Function
Muscular endurance is critical in the lives of the elderly for the performance of daily, routine activities, since aging often results in a decline of the physiological system. According to research by M. G. Bemben published in the April 1998 edition of "Sports Medicine," strength declines in old age, but an equally important parameter of neuromuscular endurance has received minimal attention. Issues that arise may be the lack, in total numbers, of muscular fibers and fiber size since muscle quantity and quality are linked to endurance capacity.
Plyometrics target muscles that can improve one's overall explosive ability by conditioning neuromuscular and elastic characteristics of those muscles to perform in the shortest time possible. They utilize the force of gravity to enable muscles to reach maximum strength by storing energy, more specifically potential energy, in the muscles, according to the American Sports Medicine Institute, or ASMI.
Misconceptions
Muscular endurance may be linked to muscle metabolism and muscle morphology; this does not mean as muscular endurance increases, muscle metabolisms perform bodily functions at a faster rate, and muscles grow bigger and stronger. According to research by John R. Minotti and colleagues published in a 1992 edition of "Chest," a journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, subjects performing systemic exercises to improve their overall endurance capacity achieve their maximum threshold, and any work beyond that results in a lactate accumulation, followed by exhaustion.
Plyometrics training is often misrepresented as an ideal training program. According to the ASMI, plyometrics should be part of an overall resistance training program, not an end in itself. Resistance training is the counterpart of plyometric training and helps prepare muscles for rapid, explosive plyometric movements.
Warning
Before performing any exercise, ensure that you warm up and cool down. Often, trainees jump right into training without any form of preparation and impair their muscles; this includes muscle strains, excessive accumulation of lactates and a lack of hydration and nutrition. Preparing for training in the correct manner will help you develop stronger, more malleable muscles and achieve better overall results.
Theories/Speculation
Important information about muscular endurance and plyometrics lies within the change of the anatomy and processes of the human body. Bemben's research in "Sports Medicine" states that through aging, associated changes occur throughout the body that is evident in both animal and human research models, each having their own advantages and limitations.
The philosophy of plyometrics is that sporting events require some form of specific skill and movement to be done in small amounts of time, and the ability to develop that skill or movement is important to achieve optimal performance, according to CoachR.org.
Expert Insight
Mark Sias, owner of Bionic Plyometrics, sees plyometrics as one of the most popular forms of power training that involves powerful muscle contractions that augment the nervous system. He has professionally instructed USAG and AAU competitive gymnasts for 6 years, having been a former gymnast and black belt in Taek Wan Do in 17 years of practice. Sprinting and jumping are strong examples of pure plyometric activities, and stretching the muscles associated with these activities can improve what Mark calls the "loading phase": the faster and greater the load, the more power exerted from the muscle contraction.
References
- PubMed: Age-related Alterations in Muscular Endurance
- The American Sports Medicine Institute: Plyometrics
- CoachR.org: Philosophy of Plyometric Training
- Chest: Skeletal Muscle Function, Morphology, and Metabolism in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure
- Bionic Plyometrics: Mark Sias: Plyometrics, Power Training & More Plyometrics
- Medicine Ball Supply: Mark Sias bio
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