Does Jogging With Jump Soles Help You Jump Higher?

Does Jogging With Jump Soles Help You Jump Higher?
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Jumpsoles are training implements that attach to the bottom of your own athletic shoes. The Jumpsoles cause you to remain on the balls of your feet, which increases the amount of work your calf muscle groups must handle to stay upright. They're meant to be worn while participating in a plyometric or explosive exercise workout program.

Jumpsoles

Because of the increased force your calves must produce while wearing Jumpsoles, your calves increase their strength levels at a faster rate than when you train without Jumpsoles. This is beneficial for those looking to increase their vertical leap, because your calves are one of the major muscle groups involved in the force produced to make you jump.

Plyometric Exercises

How high you can jump depends on the amount of power your lower body musculature can produce. It's your type-II, or fast-twitch muscle fibers that are responsible for producing powerful contractions. To develop lower body power, you must focus on developing the contractile abilities of your fast-twitch muscle fibers. According to Kyle Brown of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the effective way to increase lower body power levels is to perform plyometric exercises. Plyometrics are activities that require you to produce force at a fast rate, such as when you perform squat jumps or bounds. The Jumpsoles training program utilizes these types of plyometric, or explosive exercises to help you develop the power in your lower body and thus be able to jump higher.

Jogging

Jogging is a cardiovascular activity that utilizes your type-I, or slow-twitch muscle fibers. Slow-twitch muscle fibers are effective at producing submaximal contractions over a period of time, which is why they are recruited during aerobic activities such as jogging. Jogging doesn't cause your muscles to produce force in an explosive manner. Thus, while it is an effective activity for increasing your cardiorespiratory capabilities, it is not as effective at increasing lower body power.

Considerations

The Jumpsoles training program does recommend that you walk around and jog for short durations while you're becoming comfortable wearing Jumpsoles on your shoes. This is to improve your balance and coordination so that you're better prepared to perform more intense movements. It's important to understand that the Jumpsoles simply supplement your vertical jump workouts. According to JumpUSA, the producer of Jumpsoles, it's the explosive exercises that develop your type-II fibers and thus your lower body power levels. You can effectively develop your vertical jump by participating in regular plyometric training sessions even without wearing Jumpsoles.

References

Article reviewed by James Dryden Last updated on: Jun 3, 2011

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