Plyometrics, also known as plyos or more generally as jump training, involves exercises in which muscles exert maximum force in short intervals of time, with the goal of increasing power (speed-strength). This training focuses on learning to move from a muscle extension to a contraction in a rapid or "explosive" manner, such as in specialized repeated jumping. In this case, it involves applying more power during the exercise in a way that increasingly activates the body's stretch shortening cycle. This enables the faster achievement of all stages of the jumping movement, including the jumping phase, the landing crouch and shock absorption phase, and the amortisation phase which is when the change between the landing and jumping phases takes place. The ability to increasingly apply power during all of these movement phases, and thereby perform more powerfully and rapidly overall, has transferability to many other sporting and athletic pursuits where similar repetitive movements are required e.g. the general training effect of plyometrics improves sportspeople's ability to sprint. Progressive plyometric training can help to reduce the chances of injury, especially to the lower leg, ankle and foot.
Plyometrics are frequently used by athletes, especially martial artists, sprinters and high jumpers, to improve performance, and are used in the general fitness field to a lesser degree.
