JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================nK" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ??Z;YnINkOX6֥OG#rƠzh|Eh8&QC wʗW  'R!0q ĖjxYQ&$sX*ged-%{#Y隌0x~";c-ΡՖPr2}EY_ ޢm&RϺrcݐ%2x4x!Ia#͏HNy}W9FZhJPcq)/Sæ+EqқCW#Nܳsc<#'ᥔ mE8#38j^F\Z+$˞1{ULyJ${PmGSjܣNg Y\EI3ަM>{M&L]򗖍G$>zKam&"w/Z *A@<ӯћ\/í;g2O<{ֽ}# \12~kIYOU$ ^}u%ο:&*uѬG|VǵyHF#/A珛ڡ[c&dbݧ8ں; j]WI A `sduO"n[y̩$ t8$%Ѽ)schF۔!U}MgOg.K/${C1PG4*Vv7yfF_f `V]XG 5Vjc([8*KM!㷭 hYZ!2;pg5\!ANf<'WUS QMY&f EDflPIT " }m:Aڲib:޳w , ۑ޽63@+4d~pqӛ{TIZě*wATԥM\Sk)/BkO-$<.}k#Qc-J O*}χ/]:f"yp>E;6zke.uf8asd8uN6H3\ꮱNs7!a ,> \1X-aW'@I6kf˾)DݥP5r$~}+cG1ǡܰr0* ` ㊘{|U;zp~D- (lhwgz1$o* g tڧ# 듣IDʰ^H]P +LH@œw#_=ઑ?J[ >T)E9JpjecCԊ`t ȏ"1b>EA}âƬDQU(Xkľp(fPQ"Q,3C"1jdF kc?pid stretching of a muscle (eccentric phase) immediately followed by a rapid shortening of that muscle (concentric phase). Thus, a standing broad jump is considered plyometric because it involves a rapid stretching and shortening of the quadriceps muscles.<br><br>More specific definitions of plyometrics apply when considering the level of tension involved in the activity. For example, jumping rope would be more accurately called preparatory plyometrics because it does not produce a high level of muscle tension but helps condition the body and nervous system for more intense forms of plyometrics. The squat would also be considered a form of preparatory plyometrics because although it involves a stretching and shortening of the quadriceps muscles, the speed component is relatively small and doesn t produce the highest levels of muscle tension.<br><br>How effective are plyometrics? In a paper published in the Journal of Applied Sports Science Research in 1992, researchers conducted a six-week study on the effects of squatting and plyometrics on the vertical jump. The group that performed just the squat increasedtheir vertical jump 3.3 centimeters, a significant improvement for six weeks. However, whenplyometrics was combined with squatting, the increase was 10.7 centimeters! Can you see why plyometrics is an integral part of the BFS program?<br><br>The Father of Plyometrics<br><br>The exercise scientist regarded as the father of mode