Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercises for the Lower Extremity

Abstract

Many sport activities require explosive movements of the lower extremities. Athletes are returning back to competition following knee injuries and surgeries faster than anyone could have predicted 10 years ago. However, that has not always been in the best interest of the patient because of reinjury rates and not being able to return to the same premorbid level of activity. The ability of the clinician to return the athlete back quickly and safely is multifactorial and includes advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation, such as the use of integrated open and closed kinetic chain exercises, proprioceptive training, neuromuscular reactive dynamic stability exercises, and plyometrics.