How Plyometrics Might Help Improve Explosive Strength and Speed
Need a little more spring in your step? Whether you’re looking to shave seconds off your sprint time, add height to your jump — or simply feel a bit more agile in everyday life —plyometric training may be the key to improving explosive strength and speed.
These dynamic, high-impact movements are popular in many sports for good reason — but they place significant demands on the body. That’s where osteopathy may help. We work with people who want to improve performance, avoid injury, and recover well between sessions.
What are plyometrics?
Plyometrics involve powerful, fast movements that train your muscles to contract quickly. The exercises make use of what’s called the stretch-shortening cycle—a rapid lengthening of the muscle (eccentric phase), followed almost immediately by a contraction (concentric phase).
Think of movements like squat jumps, clap push-ups, bounding, or jumping lunges. They train the nervous system and muscles to produce maximum force in minimal time, which is exactly what you need when sprinting, leaping, or changing direction at speed.
Why train for explosive strength?
- Accelerate quickly
- Change direction sharply
- Jump higher or further
- Deliver force rapidly and efficiently
Not just for athletes
Plyometric training isn’t limited to elite sport. With the right guidance, modified plyometrics may benefit older adults and people returning to exercise. Low-impact versions — like step-ups with intent, gentle hops, or fast calf raises—can help improve balance, coordination, and reaction time. They may also support bone density, joint stability, and overall functional movement.
Performance support and osteopathy
Because plyometrics are intense, they come with a higher risk of strain or overload, especially to the knees, hips, ankles and lower back. Our osteopaths can help prepare your body for this type of training—and support your recovery afterwards.
At Body@Boronia, we aim to help you train safely and effectively with:
- Postural and movement assessment to check joint range, muscle balance and coordination
- Hands-on treatment to ease tight or overloaded muscles, support joint mobility and promote circulation
- Recovery advice to help your body adapt and bounce back from high-intensity training
- Exercise guidance to support your strength, balance and control alongside your power work
If pain, stiffness, or fatigue are holding you back, we’ll aim to identify what’s going on and help get you back on track.
Conclusion
Explosive power isn’t just for athletes – it’s part of strong, confident movement at any age. Whether you’re just getting started with plyometrics or returning to training after a break, osteopathy may help you do it safely.
Call (03) 9762 9445 to book with one of our osteopaths at Body@Boronia today.
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