Areas of Attention in Order to Increase Vertical Jumping Ability
In order to increase jumping ability an athlete needs two basic things – the dedication to put in the hours of work needed, and knowledge as to the correct type of beneficial workout to engage in. Both components are as essential as each other when seeking to increase jumping ability. Knowing the right exercises to do, but not doing them consistently will get an athlete nowhere. Similarly, working out for hours, but on the wrong type of exercise, will also be of little benefit to jumping ability.
Improve Your Vertical Jump and Jumping Ability
A good first target for anyone looking to increase their jumping ability is the muscle which surrounds the human shin. This is known as the Tibialis Anterior. Despite being little known outside of the medical and athletic communities, this is a muscle which can help both quickness and stability when a person is jumping.
There are a number of techniques that can be practiced to increase the strength of the Tibialis Anterior. The most simple, which can be carried out anywhere at any time, is for a person to walk around using only the back, heeled part of their foot and not letting the front area touch the ground at any time. This is a simple way to increase jumping ability.
A Surprising Muscle for Vertical Jump and Jumping Ability
They may sound insignificant, but a part of the body which has a significant impact on jumping ability is a person’s toe muscles. The strength of the toe muscles can be worked on by curling the toes in and out repeatedly until they become tired. This works the muscle in the toes known as Flexor Hallucis Longus which run all the way from a person’s lower leg right up to their big toe. Regularly strengthening this muscle group can have a significant impact on a person’s jumping ability.
The type of muscle fibres which need to be worked on in order to increase jumping ability are fast twitch muscle fibres. These are best developed through short, high intensity workouts such as shuttle sprints and any other form of intense exercise which increases the explosive, quick reacting ability of muscles.
The final method used in increasing jumping ability is psychological. Many people will have noticed that baseball players weigh their bats down while they are taking practice springs. This has the effect of making the player feel super-strong once the weights have been removed. Jumpers can use this principle to their own benefit. By using some form of weighted equipment, such as shoes or a vest, jumpers can trick their body into thinking that they are heavier than they actually are. When the weights are removed, the body will leap higher to account for the believed heavier weight that is actually non-existent.
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