06/11/2026
How does your body help you jump higher?
Higher hops require more than just muscle power—they also rely on rapid communication between your muscles and nervous system.
New research shows that as people hop higher, their calf muscles work harder and spinal reflexes become more active, especially around the moment the feet contact the ground.
Researchers also found that these reflex responses change throughout the hopping cycle and are dialed down during landing, likely helping the body absorb impact safely.
Read more in the Journal of Neurophysiology: https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00264.2025
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