Editing Isometric exercise (section)

==Isometric presses as preparation for explosive power movements==
The isometric preloading of muscles is instinctively performed in order to generate power to be used in subsequent dynamic movements: a fundamental element of this muscular preloading is the performance of an isometric press action. An everyday example is a person getting up off a chair. They first raise their posterior off the chair and then perform a pressing action downwards on their bent legs. As the bent legs resist the downward force upon them in equal measure, an isometric press is generated. From this point, the person then straightens and stands up. A more dynamic example is a vertical jump. Here, the jumper crouches down and adopts a similar isometric press before powering upwards into the jump.<ref>Sharkey, Brian J. & Gaskill, Steven E. 'Preload and Elastic Recoil' in ''Fitness and Health'', Champaign:Human Kinetics, 2007, p.169</ref>
The employment of isometric presses in order to aid explosive power movements is also found in sports such as boxing. Here, the boxer may bend their lead leg, while positioning their torso and its respective bodyweight over it, so there exists equal forces between the upwards force of the bent leg and the downward force of the torso. The boxer then throws a lead hook from this position and the forces from the isometric press are channelled into the punch and help to increase its overall power.<ref>Dempsey, Jack, 'Stance' in ''Championship Fighting Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense'', 1950</ref> Such a channelling of force fundamentally represents the purpose of an isometric preload: which is as a preparatory action to aid a subsequent power movement.

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File:Long jump Ancient Greeece.jpg|The jumper on the left performs a distinctive isometric press, primarily by applying downward pressure onto his bent rear leg. This acts as a means of preloading the muscles prior to engaging in a jump from standing. The jumper to the right of him is mid-flight.
File:Ryan Lochte (4800088801).jpg|Olympian Ryan Lochte (near) standing on top of the wedged starting blocks. Each swimmer performs a preparatory isometric press by applying downward pressure onto their bent legs. This serves to preload the muscles and helps to make the subsequent dive more powerful.
File:2014 DécaNation - 400 m 20.jpg|This sprinter's initial crouch in the blocks allowed her to preload her muscles and channel the force generated from this into her first strides forwards.
Image:Sumo-Japan.jpg|Sumo wrestlers just beginning to charge forwards after crouching down and performing an isometric press. The press enables them to charge into their opponent more powerfully, which is especially useful when the match begins.
File:Green Bay Packers Offensive Line lined up Dec 2013.jpg|American Football players line up against each other and crouch down into an isometric press position. This allows them to rush forward more powerfully when the play begins; this is particularly useful in regard to tackling or blocking an opponent.
File:Discobolus side 2.jpg|A discus thrower performs an isometric press by applying downward pressure onto his bent right leg. This allows the throw to be performed more powerfully.
File:Vince Cavazos winds up for a shot put toss during a morning track and field session at the Air Force team’s training camp at Eglin Air Force Base (25706987973).jpg|A shot putter performs an isometric press by applying downward pressure onto his bent right leg. This will allow him to turn and spring forwards more powerfully, and channel the muscular force generated by the press into the throw.
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