Which Muscles Are Used for Jumping?
The leg, feet and gluteus muscle groups are used in jumping. Specific muscles include the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, quadriceps, and soleus, according to HumanKinetics.com.
Jumping happens in three stages. The first is the preparatory stage, where the ankle plantarflexors, or the gastrocnemius, muscles in the calf and soleus plantarflex tense to prepare for launching. The second stage is the launch phase, where the hip extensors, the hamstrings and gluteus maximus combine, and the knee extensors extend the knees to allow the body to launch into the air. The final stage is the landing phase, where all of the muscle embrace impact and allow for the body to return to a resting position, as described on Healthy Living.
The tibialis anterior is used as a counter balancing measure to stabilize knee flexors in taking off, adds Bodybuilding.com. When these are strong, a person executes a jump more powerfully and successfully.
To create a stronger and more powerful jump, Muscle Prodigy suggests strengthening the abdominal muscles. This is because a strong core is vital to stabilize the body as it launches into the air.
When working out, JillianMichaels.com advises targeting the muscles mentioned above in order to increase their strength and stabilizing abilities. Bodybuilding.com adds to this the power of visualization, in which a person simply imagines himself jumping higher. Also, perfecting a powerful arm-swing provides momentum that adds to the power of the jump.
