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December 20, 2024 3 min read
The term "plyometrics" originated in 1975 when American track and field coach Fred Wilt coined the word by combining Greek roots. He derived it from the Greek words "plio" (meaning "more") and "metrics" (meaning "to measure"), essentially translating to "to increase the measurement"
Etymology and Origins of Plyometrics
The word has fascinating linguistic roots:
Originally based on the Greek word "pleythyein", which means "to increase or augment"
Technically combines "plio" (more) and "metric" (measure)
Interestingly, the spelling that more closely matches Greek origins would actually be "pliometrics"
Historical Context of Plyometrics
While the term was created in 1975, the training method itself has much older roots:
Wilt himself acknowledged that while the term might not be perfect, it was the best description he could develop for this explosive training methodology that focuses on increasing muscular power and athletic performance.
Plyometrics evolved from "jump training" to its current form through several key stages:
Origins in Eastern Europe: The concept of jump training emerged in Eastern European countries as early as the 1920s, gaining prominence in the 1950s when Soviet Olympians began using these techniques.
Coining of the term: In 1975, American track and field coach Fred Wilt coined the term "plyometrics" after observing Russian athletes performing jumps in their warm-ups. He derived the word from Greek roots, combining "plio" (more) and "metrics" (measure).
Introduction to the West: In the early 1980s, Fred Wilt collaborated with trainer Michael Yessis to disseminate information about plyometrics in the United States.
Two forms of plyometrics emerged:
Plyometrics, also known as jump training or plyos, is a form of exercise that emphasises explosive movements to enhance muscle power and athletic performance. This training method is particularly effective for athletes in sports that require rapid and powerful movements, such as football, volleyball, and track and field.
Definition and Mechanism of Plyometrics
Plyometric training involves exercises that utilise the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) of muscle fibers.
This cycle consists of three phases:
The effectiveness of plyometrics lies in its ability to train fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are crucial for generating explosive power.
Benefits of Plyometrics
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