'k, i'l try to keep this simple, but this is DOING my head in. basically, every muscle has an opposite. now if that 'opposite' constantly has tension, then the other muscle can never contract to its full potential. take biceps, for instance, if u cut your triceps off, there'd be no opposite tension and u'd be able to do heavier bicep curls. if that was the end of the story, then that would be great, workout calves and quads etc, and stay away from working out the antagonistic muscles...as that would provide you with a DISADVANTAGE.

however...

when doing a speed contraction (like jumpin') the eccentric contraction is equally important as the concentric contraction. that means, to jump up, u need to do the opposite of jump before it (which is that wind up thing, where u kinda dip down for a second). that uses these 'opposite' muscles, i've been tlaking about, so in this case, working them out provides an ADVANTAGE.

now this whole contraversy sparked up when i heard about the Dorsi Flexors, or as i call them, The Shin Muscle. it is opposite the calf, and is used in the eccentric contraction of jumping. to work it out, you supposedly walk on your heels, and u'll feel the burn. however, wouldn't we just be better off without them? or does working out Antagonistic Muscles to jumping provide a distinct advantage in the contraction cycle?

sorry if this has just confused the hell out of you, but gettin' hops is serious business, it aint all VJB. which doesn't say much bout the matter btw.

neways, tell me watya think plz

sfe :-)