Resistance bands are a training tool used to improve strength, power and jumping ability. For athletes, jumping higher will almost always improve overall performance. As a result, resistance band exercises and plyometrics are commonly used by athletes to jump higher. According to Ted Rath, assistant strength coach for the Detroit Lions, the best resistance bands for jumping higher allow sport-specific movements while providing resistance in several planes of motion and training multiple muscle groups.
Function
The best resistance bands for jumping higher have the versatility that allows you to perform a variety of exercises. Regardless of the exercise you perform, the resistance band exercise teaches your muscles to load during the eccentric phase resulting in faster, more powerful jumping ability. The improved performance is a result of the stretch-shortening cycle that maximizes your jumping ability by conditioning your fast-twitch muscle fibers to contract at a higher rate.
Resistance
Every athlete has different fitness, strength and jumping abilities, making it essential for the best resistance bands to accommodate those differences. Different resistance levels of the best resistance bands are indicated by color, with light colors such as yellow or green indicating a light resistance and dark colors such as blue and black indicating heavy resistance. The various resistance levels allow you to focus on form and technique without worrying about heavy resistance and promote full range of motion while adding kinetic energy to the eccentric phase.
Design
Resistance bands come in several lengths and designs, but the best resistance bands for jumping higher feature built-in handles and an anchor strap that can be held by a coach or fixed to an object. Durable rubber materials provide the resistance in the bands while nylon handles and PVC grips allow for independent arm and leg movements. Different straps make it possible to attach the resistance bands to ankles, hands, wrists, hips or thighs depending on the nature and goal of the exercise.
Exercises
One of the most important features of the best resistance bands for jumping higher is the ability to customize the exercises based on the movement patterns of the individual sport while scaling the intensity and resistance to different ability levels. Common plyometric exercises include squat jumps, hops, scissor jumps and power skipping. Basic strength-training exercises to improve jumping ability include squats, stationary lunges and single-leg squats. Form and technique is the primary concern for every exercise to minimize injury potential while increasing performance gains.
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