Unfortunately, most spinal cord injuries result in lifelong disability. Continued research, development of newer therapies and treatment techniques do offer hope. In 1995, Christopher Reeve fell from a horse and suffered a spinal cord injury. His...
Your nerves and muscles are always working together to control your limbs' movements. Commonly referred to as neuromuscular control, this coordination includes your neural network's ability to protect your muscles from being injured by being...
Stretches for tendon reflexes are also known as deep tendon reflexes, according to the National Institutes of Health. These stretches are performed as part of a neurological examination. The muscle stretch receptors will be stimulated by pressure...
Stretching exercises do not burn many calories, however, they help you improve your range of motion and minimize your risk of injury so that you can perform better during strength and cardiovascular exercise, according to physical therapist Chris...
According to the textbook "Examination of Orthopedic and Athletic injuries," many types of tests are used in the physical examination of patients. One common neurological test is called deep tendon reflex testing. Deep tendon reflexes,...
Speed and strength can be improved at the same time with a few simple exercises. The more explosive you are, the stronger and faster you will be, as well as more resistant to injury. Special exercises to improve your technique will send you on...
Extensors in your body refer to muscle groups and tendons that increase the angle between two bones or joints when they are contracted. These include extensors in your hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, spine, hip and legs. Since many people's...
The sport of powerlifting undergoes periodic changes, like any other sport. Since the 1980s, the advancement of lifting gear has changed the sport significantly. Once designed to protect the joints of the lifter, gear such as squat suits now...
Many people are prone to hip stiffness because they sit too much at work, in the car or at school. This causes a decrease in hip mobility and weakens the buttocks, causing low back and knee pain, according to physical therapist Gray Cook, author...
If you want to increase your ability to dunk, clear hurdles, or simply spend more time in the air, a good vertical jump program might be just the thing you need. A combination of technique, strength, skill training and conditioning, and explosive...
Plyometrics, or rebound training, can be a great way for you to increase not only your start out of the blocks, but your ability to keep accelerating in a sprint. If you want extra power and a better stretch reflex, along with better running...
You can increase your vertical jump with some basic drills and exercises where you improve strength, technique and your reflexes. To get the greatest increase, train all aspects of your jump and you will quickly be soaring to new heights. Follow...
Developing power in your legs gives you short-term speed and long-term resistance to injury. Heavy resistance training that builds power allows you to channel that power into explosive energy and burst speed. Strengthening your legs includes...
Plyometric exercise is used in sport-specific training to enhance power and performance. Plyometrics is defined as activities that enable a muscle to reach maximal force in the shortest amount of time, according to the National Strength and...
When it comes to your vertical jump, every inch counts. The vertical leap is one of a few tests coaches use to determine athletic ability. A great score on your vertical leap can mean the difference between playing and riding the bench. Overall, a...
Because of the significant amount of time we spend sitting, which is a position in which our hamstrings are shortened, our hamstrings can become tight. This can in turn pull on the pelvis and create a slight arch in the lower back, causing pain....
Because many people today sit for more than 10 hours a day at work, in a car or in front of a computer, they often develop poor posture from not moving and staying in one position. According to Anthony Carey, author of "Pain-Free Program" and...
If you squat fast in an attempt to improve your vertical jump or burst speed, never sacrifice good technique. While you may accelerate the bar from the bottom with speed, if you do so with bad form, you expend a great deal of effort for little in...
To improve your speed, your exercise program needs to consist of improving technique, gaining strength and raising your aerobic capacity. Proper exercise plans will allow you to get the most out of all your training sessions. Take care to...
Different types of joints in your body move in different directions and range of motion. In sports and daily activities, you move your joints and muscles together to produce and reduce force, and they rarely move in isolation. Stretching your...
Strength, explosive power and good technique all contribute to speed. While you cannot train for all of them in a single workout, you can schedule your workouts to get as much out of them as possible. Work on your ability to accelerate and...
There are many exercises you can use to improve your vertical leap. Improving your vertical leap is not just a matter of training hard, but also of careful exercise selection. A combination of heavy resistance training, improvements in technique...
According to Mark Hines, an exercise physiologist based in London, England, your muscle's flexibility and range of motion are regulated by two sensory organs in it: muscles spindles and Golgi tendon organs (GTOs). Both receptors work together to...
Strong, powerful legs contribute to a better vertical jump. You must improve your skill and strength while developing explosive ability. A variety of exercises help with this, and training both your upper and lower legs provides power and balanced...
A well-rounded training program can help you build strength, power, explosiveness and conditioning. You need all of these abilities and more to succeed as a fighter, whether it is in boxing or mixed martial arts. Build strength, learn to generate...
Speed training workouts can take many forms, including running drills, lifting and plyometric training. The best workout is the one that allows you to combine specific aspects of them all to strengthen your weaknesses. From improving technique to...
When you stretch a muscle too quickly, it creates a stretch reflex -- an involuntary contract of the muscle and joint that protects the muscle from tearing or the joint from damage or dislocating. This results in a muscle pain and spasm that can...
While you might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, the right program can add inches to your vertical leap. A combination of leg strength, improved skill and plyometric exercise can give you more air time than you have ever...
While you may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, you can improve your vertical jump with a few simple exercises and good technique. Improvements in technique, strength and reflexes will go a long way toward getting you closer to...
