Jump Higher - The Top 3 Benefits Of Increased Flexibility In Vertical Jump Training

When I was younger I never took time to, nor did I realize how important stretching was and what role it played in my overall physical abilities. It wasn't until I began taking Tae Kwon Do that I realized the benefits of stretching and what amazing results you can achieve just by doing a few basic stretches.

As I am now middle-aged, the benefits of stretching and being limber are even more apparent. I can completely tell a huge difference in how my body feels when I wake up in the morning if I have gone too long without performing any stretching routines. I truly believe that stretching is the key to longevity and an active life when you are older.

So, what in the world does stretching have to do with being able to jump higher?

I bet when you decided to learn the skills necessary to jump higher you never really considered stretching as an essential part of your vertical jump routine. If you didn't, this would be a huge mistake. Stretching provides many benefits in preparing the body for higher jumping. The more flexible you are the better your results will be from your jump training exercises. Flexibility is a major key in helping your jump higher.

Here are the Top 3 Key Benefits of Stretching to Help You Jump Higher

1. Stretching provides fuller muscle contraction - when you are able to fully contract your muscles they will be able to exert more force in the opposite direction, giving you an increased boost in your jump. When you have stiffness in your muscles and a lack of flexibility, it hinders their maximum power output. You will need to concentrate on flexibility throughout your body. Total body flexibility will help every muscle in your body to contract with less resistance. When you have less resistance in your muscles you will have greater body control and improved strength development.

2. Stretching Prevents Injury - Many knee injuries are caused by jumping. Too much stress on the quad muscle due to the hamstring being too tight will eventually cause a condition known as jumper's knee. By having a focused stretching routine that covers all parts of your body will keep one part of your body from over compensating for another, thus reducing or essentially eliminating the risk of injury.

3. Stretching will provide you with a greater range of motion and leverage - You need a full range of motion in order to learn how to improve jump. Stretching will help you maintain complete control over your range of motion and help you maintain proper form during execution. Maintaining the proper form alone will immediately add inches to your vertical jump.

It is a great idea to implement a full stretching routine both before and after your vertical jump workouts. The initial stretching will help warm your muscles and prepare them for activity and help you avoid injury. Stretching after your workouts will help elongate your muscles and promote growth as well as provide you with a cool down for your exercise.

Learning to jump higher can be achieved through exercise and hard work, by following a strict training program you can achieve your goals.