Muscle Building

Physics of Muscular Power and How This Can Help You

December 17, 2009
By Honey Jones

The measure for muscular power is the length of time it takes to convert strength into speed. Athletes who are standouts are those who can do this in a very short time. Just having the strength is not as important as the ability to convert a smaller force in less time. It’s not uncommon for a basketball player who has lower force output to be able to shorten how long it takes to reach his maximum force output. This results in more power per contraction.

A muscle must shorten before it can cause movement. If the muscle is stretched out before contraction, it will use elastic energy to produce greater force. The force must follow the stretch quickly because the energy of the stretched muscle dissipates and does so pretty rapidly.

When you decide to move a muscle, a chemical reaction is sent to it by the brain. However, it’s also true that some reactions happen without any conscious effort on the part of the athlete.

Plyometrics, that is, measurable increases, is based on the physics of muscular power. Basketball drills for kids begin with getting them to keep their feet on the ground for the shortest time possible. The first step in jumping is bending down; at this time there is energy stored in the legs. The longer your feet stay on the ground, the more of that energy will be wasted. Basketball drills for kids to teach them how to jump higher, must focus on shortening the amount of time that the feet are on the ground.

That first step-the bending down-is called the loading phase. It’s important because it empowers the muscle, which is like a rubber band. If the band is stretched, it will go farther than one that is not stretched.

Kids need to know that the muscle will contract faster if it’s stretched first. Basketball drills for kids will not bring about change in the speed of the stretch reflex, but it can improve the strength of the response. This is what will cause the athlete to jump higher.

Honey has been writing documents for some 15 years. Recently though, she has found a well founded skill in article writing. One of her favourite projects at the moment is improving your vertical leap – your ability to jump as it has the potential to help so many people succeed in their passion. visit her website at Huge Vertical Leap.

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