| Lately, it seems that any type of athletic | | | | Thus ab strength development has a role to play |
| performance development requires a very | | | | in an overall program to grow better hops but not |
| focused routine that strengthens abdominal | | | | a central role. The focus to increase power must |
| muscles. Strong abs, it appears, hold the key to | | | | remain primarily on the lower body as well as to a |
| almost every possible advancement involved with | | | | lesser degree on the shoulders. Do some ab work |
| the improvement of physical movement. | | | | but do not obsess on it or diminish the time spent |
| This trend raises an important question relative to | | | | on the major factors. |
| the development of a major vertical jump reach. | | | | Taking this matter one step further, know that it |
| It is critical to know just how much time and | | | | is essential to make sure to develop core |
| effort must be devoted to abdominal strength | | | | strength. That would include not only abs but |
| increase in order to gain ten inches or more on a | | | | obliques, lower back and glutes as well. These are |
| vertical jump. | | | | the muscles that surround and influence the area |
| Are overpowering abs required to be an amazing | | | | around your waist line or as it is more commonly |
| leaper? | | | | called, your core. All these muscle groups play a |
| The short answer is good news. No. That is not | | | | role in body balance and control. |
| to say however that abdominals do not have a | | | | Core strength is important since it is the conduit |
| role to play in growing better hops. But they are | | | | to properly transfer the power that is released |
| not the major force behind explosive jumping | | | | from the ground up in the jumping movement |
| power. | | | | upward through the body. The more efficient that |
| The fact is that the abs play a key role in body | | | | transfer, the higher the leap and the jump reach. |
| balance which, in turn, is an essential ingredient in | | | | By way of an example, take a pencil and drop it |
| vertical jump or just about any other body | | | | on a hard surface, eraser first. Note the height of |
| movement associated with sports. Without body | | | | the bounce. Break that same pencil in half, tape it |
| balance and body control, an athlete will fail every | | | | back together and again drop it eraser first. You |
| time. Playing a sport with quickness, speed and | | | | will see a significant difference in the height of the |
| power absolutely requires balance and control. | | | | bounce for the simple reason that the core of the |
| The movement involved in a vertical leap includes | | | | pencil was weakened. Core strength helps vertical |
| propelling the upper torso backwards during the | | | | jump momentum. |
| process of gathering the body and projecting it | | | | The message here is that core strength should |
| with upward momentum. If the abs cannot | | | | not be overlooked, although it should also not be |
| effectively put the brakes on that backward | | | | the point of emphasis. More to the point, adding |
| movement, jumpers will simply project | | | | at least ten inches to a jump reach is a |
| themselves onto their backs and lose all control of | | | | comprehensive task requiring a comprehensive |
| their balance. So yes, abdominals have a notable | | | | development program. A link to one such |
| role to play in the leaping process. | | | | program is provided below for your review. It will |
| However it is essential to understand that abs are | | | | supply you with an idea of what is required to |
| not one of the prime movers of jumping | | | | really grow your vertical. |
| skyward. They do not create any upward | | | | Whatever path you follow, do not over |
| propulsion. The role played by the ab set of | | | | emphasize ab strength in an effort to become a |
| muscles is all about balance and control. Beyond | | | | big time leaper. It plays a role but not a critical |
| that, which is obviously important to the eventual | | | | role in the process of growing better hops. |
| outcome, abdominal strength has no role in leaping. | | | | |