Malisoux, L., Francaus, M., & Theisen, D. (2005). Effect of plyometric training on mechanical properties of human single muscle fibres. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(5), Supplement abstract 1520.

Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained from four men before and after eight weeks of plyometric training. An average of 120 jumps was performed three times per week.

Vertical jump was increase by 13% and a shuttle-run was improved by 3%. Improvements were due to an increase in power of the contractile apparatus in the vastus lateralis independent of the muscle fiber type. Power increases were largely due to enhancements in the maximal shortening velocity.

Implication. Improvements from plyometrics training come from changes in the maximal shortening velocity and the contractile apparatus of the muscles.

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