In the world of athletic development, speed and jumping performance are often key qualities that determine performance. Plyometric exercises, which are based on the science of the stretch-shortening cycle, play a key role in improving athletic performance and serve as important criteria for returning to sports after injury. These exercises use the body's natural elastic properties to create explosive movements, offering a dynamic approach to training. A solid grasp of plyometrics enables professionals to design programs that significantly boost physical capabilities, leading to improved health and performance outcomes for athletes and individuals alike.
In this article we will discuss how the use of smart force plates like AxIT Stomp-IT can be used to break down and understand the key elements of jumping.
The SSC is like the body's...
Balance is a fundamental component of physical well-being, and the maintenance of it is hugely important to society. It has often been attributed as an important factor in falls prevention programs which can have a dramatic influence on people's quality of life. In fact, in Australia alone, the cost of treatment of injuries from falls in older people came at a price tag of over $2.3 billion in 2020 including multiple flow-on effects for ambulance services, loss of independence by older people, and family impact.
But it is not just older people that need balance, it also plays a vital role in daily activities and athletic performance. In this blog post, we'll explore the utility of static balance assessment in the form of measuring Centre Of Pressure (COP) using force plates such as AxIT Stomp-IT, the key metrics involved, and how health and fitness professionals can leverage this information for better client outcomes.
In the dynamic world of health and fitness assessment, we are constantly searching for better ways to unlock the full potential of our clients. Whilst smart handheld dynamometers and portable force plates will do most of the heavy lifting in generating baseline performance metrics to track over time, one often overlooked yet invaluable tool is the force trace shape. Picture this – as individuals undergo strength and performance testing, their force traces etch a unique and revealing path, holding the key to essential insights about their movement performance. In this article, we delve into 4 force trace shapes, exploring how it can offer more information to health and fitness professionals in guiding their clients toward optimal performance and well-being.
The peak force on a force trace during an isometric strength test is one of the most used metrics as it is considered a good reflection of maximum strength for several reasons:
Static contraction: In an isometric strength...
Originally developed in the 1960's for biomechanics research in elite sports, force plates have emerged as invaluable tools in an athletic setting, providing objective data to optimize high performance and identify potential injury risks. With advancements in technology and increased accessibility, portable force plates such as the AxIT Stomp-IT are now finding their way into everyday health and fitness settings, allowing technology previously only available to million-dollar sports teams and university laboratories to empower practitioners and individuals alike.
If you haven't had the opportunity to experience the incredible benefits of incorporating smart force plates like AxIT Stomp-IT into your health and fitness practice, this blog is here to change that! Get ready to explore the Top 4 Strength Tests that can be performed using force plates and discover why they are an absolute game-changer for your clients.