Long before you were capable of sprinting, pivoting, or jumping, your nervous system was hard at work developing the fundamental patterns that would one day form the basis of all complex movement. This process—ontogenesis—is the neurological and biomechanical roadmap your body follows from infancy through adulthood. It forms the basis for everything we do at Fluid Health and Fitness.
This blog explores how primitive reflexes evolve into sport-specific conditioning, how myofascial slings and reflex arcs enable elastic energy efficiency, and how high-level skills like plyometric control are rooted in your body’s early development. At Fluid, we emphasize structure before conditioning, movement quality before intensity—and this principle is most evident in our approach to jump training.
Why It Matters
Jumping is only half the equation. The real skill lies in landing—safely, reflexively, and efficiently—especially under pressure or fatigue. Proper plyometric training develops:
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Elastic recoil efficiency, allowing the body to store and release energy like a spring.
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Reflexive tension, which stabilizes joints on impact without conscious effort.
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Resistance to common injury mechanisms, such as knee valgus (inward knee collapse).
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The ability to maintain postural control during rapid deceleration and re-acceleration.
These benefits are only possible when movement is built on the neuromuscular foundation developed during ontogenesis.
Key Concept: Ontogenesis and Developmental Sequencing
What is Ontogenesis?
Ontogenesis refers to the biological and neurological development of an individual from conception through adulthood. In movement science, it specifically describes the stages of neuromuscular maturation that shape how the body stabilizes, loads, and moves.
During the first year of life, developmental reflexes like the Moro reflex (a primitive startle response to sudden movement or noise) help initiate the activation of muscle groups. Over time, these reflexes are integrated into higher-level motor patterns through neural maturation.
The motor milestones of rolling, crawling, sitting, standing, and walking follow a predictable, hierarchical pattern. This sequence is not arbitrary—it forms the foundation of postural and joint stabilization.
From Reflexes to Recoil: How Fascia Stores Energy
Neural Control and Myofascial Integration
As the central nervous system matures, it begins to organize muscle activity into functional movement chains, also known as myofascial slings. These are interlinked structures of muscles, fascia (connective tissue), and neural pathways that transmit load across the body.
Examples include:
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Posterior Oblique Sling: Connects the gluteus maximus, thoracolumbar fascia, and contralateral latissimus dorsi. It’s essential for force transfer during gait and jumping.
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Deep Front Line: A myofascial pathway connecting the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and hip stabilizers, playing a critical role in postural control and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).
These slings are not just muscular—they rely on reflex arcs, which are automatic neural circuits that activate stabilizing muscles in response to joint position and load. For example, when landing from a jump, your body doesn’t wait for conscious instruction; proprioceptive sensors in your fascia and tendons activate the appropriate muscle groups reflexively.
Step-by-Step Expectations: How Plyometric Control Evolves
Step 1: Establish Reflexive Postural Stability
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Train breathing using diaphragmatic techniques to activate the deep core.
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Use positions from Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), such as the 3-month supine or 6-month prone positions, to awaken stabilizers like the transverse abdominis, pelvic floor, and multifidi.
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Emphasize control in the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right halves and governs flexion/extension control—essential for absorbing ground reaction forces.
Step 2: Introduce Controlled Impact
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Perform eccentric loading drills, such as step-downs and pause squats, to teach the muscles to decelerate under control.
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Introduce low-height hops with quiet landings—a sign of proper fascial tension and reflexive control.
Step 3: Train Elastic Recoil
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Use plyometric movements (e.g., jump squats, bounding) that emphasize the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC).
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The SSC describes how muscles and tendons briefly lengthen (eccentric phase), store energy, and then rapidly shorten (concentric phase) to release it. This is the core mechanism of elastic recoil.
Step 4: Maintain Form Under Fatigue
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Integrate drills that challenge control under time pressure (e.g., reactive jumping drills).
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Monitor for compensatory patterns like knee valgus, where the knees cave inward on landing. This indicates poor reflexive control of the hip abductors and external rotators.
Cognitive Focus: Landing as a Reflex, Not a Reaction
Reflexive Tension
Reflexive tension is your body’s ability to recruit stabilizing muscles automatically, in response to movement demands. It’s what allows an elite athlete to land silently after a jump or shift direction without conscious thought.
Elastic Recoil Efficiency
Elastic recoil efficiency is the capacity of the myofascial system to absorb, store, and release energy. Unlike pure muscular force, which requires metabolic input, fascial recoil is mechanical and passive—meaning it can repeat with less fatigue and greater speed.
Efficient elastic recoil requires:
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Joint centration – optimal alignment of joint surfaces
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Pre-activation of stabilizers – low-level muscle tone prior to movement
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Symmetrical load transfer – avoiding overuse of one limb or side
Preparation: What Must Be in Place Before Plyometrics Begin
| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Symmetrical sagittal plane control | Ensures midline postural alignment |
| Controlled intra-abdominal pressure | Stabilizes the spine under load |
| Diaphragm function and breathing | Connects respiratory and postural systems |
| Joint centration in hips, knees, ankles | Prevents shear and collapse during landing |
| Integration of deep core slings | Facilitates reflexive response and energy transfer |
Aftercare: Recover the System
To optimize neurological and fascial recovery:
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Use parasympathetic breathing post-training (slow, nasal, diaphragmatic).
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Incorporate myofascial release techniques to restore fascial hydration and glide.
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Perform light DNS-based recovery patterns to reinforce symmetrical postural control.
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Reassess for any signs of fatigue-induced compensation (e.g., side dominance, poor landing mechanics).
Key Term Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ontogenesis | The sequence of physiological and neurological development from infancy through adulthood. |
| Moro Reflex | An infantile startle reflex, foundational for early motor control and gradually integrated during development. |
| Sagittal Plane | The anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right halves, primarily involved in flexion and extension. |
| Myofascial Sling | A connected chain of muscles and fascia that transmits force and stabilizes joints across multiple body segments. |
| Elastic Recoil | The ability of muscles and fascia to store and release mechanical energy during movement. |
| Reflex Arc | A neural loop that enables rapid, involuntary muscle activation in response to stimuli. |
| Reflexive Tension | The automatic contraction of stabilizing muscles during impact or perturbation. |
| Knee Valgus | The inward collapse of the knee during dynamic movement, often caused by weak glutes or poor neuromuscular timing. |
| Joint Centration | Optimal alignment and control of a joint, allowing for efficient force distribution and minimal wear. |
Jump Smarter, Not Just Higher
Jumping high may look impressive, but landing well is the real marker of mastery. Reflexive landing control, symmetrical stabilization, and elastic energy efficiency don’t happen by accident—they emerge from a structured progression that respects your body’s neurological and biomechanical evolution.
At Fluid Health and Fitness, we don’t skip steps. We ensure that your body is prepared to explode with power and absorb with grace—not just in sport, but in life.
References
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Kolář, P. (2024). Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization: DNS A and B Manuals. Prague School of Rehabilitation
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Domellöf, E. (2006). Development of Functional Asymmetries in Young Infants: A Sensory-Motor Approach. Umeå University
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Myers, T. (2009). Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists
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Novacheck, T. (1998). The Biomechanics of Running. Gait and Posture, 7(1), 77–95
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Henning, S. et al. (2016). Postural Restoration: A Tri-Planar Asymmetrical Framework
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Carr, H. (2024). Asymmetry, Lateralization, and Alternating Rhythms of the Human Body