Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Effects of a Novel Neuromuscular Training Intervention on Jump, Sprint, and Change of Direction in Adult Female Soccer Players
Published on: June 10, 2025
The Kinetic Specificity of Plyometric Training: Verbal Cues Revisited
Talin Louder1, Megan Bressel2, Eadric Bressel1
1Biomechanics Laboratory, HPER Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Abstract:
Plyometric training is a popular method utilized by strength and conditioning professionals to improve aspects of functional strength. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of extrinsic verbal cueing on the specificity of jumping movements. Thirteen participants (age: 23.4 ± 1.9 yr, body height: 170.3 ± 15.1 cm, body mass: 70.3 ± 23.8 kg,) performed four types of jumps: a depth jump "as quickly as possible" (DJT), a depth jump "as high as possible" (DJH), a countermovement jump (CMJ), and a squat jump (SJ). Dependent measures, which included measurement of strength and power, were acquired using a force platform. From the results, differences in body-weight normalized peak force (BW) (DJH: 4.3, DJT: 5.6, CMJ: 2.5, SJ: 2.2), time in upward propulsion (s) (DJH: 0.34, DJT: 0.20, CMJ: 0.40, SJ: 0.51), and mean acceleration (m·s-2) (DJH: 26.7, DJT: 36.2, CMJ: 19.8, SJ: 17.3) were observed across all comparisons (p = 0.001 - 0.033). Differences in the body-weight normalized propulsive impulse (BW·s) (DJH: 0.55, DJT: 0.52, CMJ: 0.39, SJ: 0.39) and propulsive power (kW) (DJH: 13.7, DJT: 16.5, CMJ: 11.5, SJ: 12.1) were observed across all comparisons (p = 0.001 - 0.050) except between the CMJ and SJ (p = 0.128 - 0.929). The results highlight key kinetic differences influencing the specificity of plyometric movements and suggest that verbal cues may be used to emphasize the development of reactive strength (e.g. DJT) or high-velocity concentric power (e.g. DJH).
Related Concept Videos
Motor Unit Stimulation
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
Muscle Stimulation Frequency
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
Long-term Potentiation
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
Long-term Potentiation
Non-Verbal Cues
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...

