NAFC NewsBlast - February 2017 | Article 1

One Way to Test for a Strong Core

By Tammy LeBoss | thefitprofoodie.com

Jumpstart the New Year with Power Rebounder™

Did you know that in sports, the vertical jump is one of the most explosive physical movements execute? In a number of sports, the higher the athlete is able to jump, the greater the prospects of success. For example, basketball and volleyball are the two sports in which one’s ability to jump is an indicator of overall athletic ability. The National Football League requires every player to be tested for both vertical leaps and sprints, irrespective of the position played.

For many athletes, learning to push the boundaries of jumping can be a game-changer. The vertical jump is defined as the highest point that the athlete can touch from a standing jump. This type of jumping activity can be developed and improved upon in the Power Rebounder™ experience. But, who should exercise rebounding?

The NAFC PowerCert™ was designed to be friendly and accessible for all fitness levels. By understanding and applying the safety principals of ANSER™, along with the PUSH™ principles of Power Rebounder, any ‘body’ can take their training to new heights. The benefits of Power Rebounder go beyond the fun beats of this music-driven program. Participation in rebounding activities has been scientifically proven to improve/accelerate physical detoxing.

According to Dave Scrivens, Certified Lymphologist at UCSD explains:

“The body has a built-in need for activation. The lymph system, for example, bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Yet the lymph is totally dependent on physical exercise to move.”

Learn more about how vigorous exercise such as rebounding can increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times.

The Primary Muscles Involved in Rebounding include Glutes, Legs and the Core.

In order to push to new heights, it’s necessary to understand the how’s and why’s a strong jump involves a combination of leg strength and explosive power. Secondly, the degree to how high a person can jump will be determined to a degree by the distribution of fast-twitch versus slow-twitch fibers present in the muscles of the legs. Lastly, a strong connection to core will also affect a graceful and safe landing. Try this pro tip for a proper landing:

To Land on your feet like a cat you would:

Concentrate on the mechanics of the jumping, directing propulsion from the balls of the feet and thrusting with an explosive extension of the legs, the ability of the athlete to land lightly and immediately return to the floor enhances motor control over the movement. Oh and don’t forget to bend the knees prior to executing that jump.

The Key:

One’s ability to land lightly onto their feet is affected by how strong the core musculature is. It is for this reason that both instructor and participants should understand the muscles that make up the core.

Whether you’re a trainer to athletes wanting to improve jumping power, or to Baby Boomers who need to work on balance and proprioception, learn more about Power Rebounder™. Jumpstart the New Year taking your training skills to new heights. Through this NAFC PowerCert™ you’ll learn to PUSH™ the boundaries safely and effectively, jumpstart stubborn metabolism, and enjoy the many benefits of jumping the smart way.