Plyometric training practices of Brazilian Olympic sprint and jump coaches: Toward a deeper understanding of their choices and insight

Plyometric exercises are widely used by coaches from numerous sports, during different phases of the annual training season. In more general terms, plyometrics (or stretch-shortening cycle [SSC] exercises) can be characterized by the rapid transition from the deceleration (e.g., drop landing) to the acceleration phase (e.g., a vertical jump) or by the combination of eccentric and concentric contractions. The efficiency of the SSC to improve the subsequent motor-task (e.g., a maximal vertical or horizontal jump) is well established in the literature and relies on the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon complex. During plyometric activities, the muscle-tendon complex stores potential elastic energy in the eccentric phase, restoring part of this energy during the concentric portion of the movement. This, in turn, results in increased force and power production, as a result of the SSC potentiation. Several studies have examined the influence of this enhanced effect on the physical performance of athletes from different sports, ages, and competitive levels, confirming that plyometric training is an efficient and safe strategy to improve speed- and power-related capabilities.