Hopping

Hopping is locomotion by making a jump or series of jumps using one foot or limb at a time. It differs from walking and running by relying on repeated single-limb takeoffs.

Stretch-shortening cycle: A muscle–tendon action in which a rapid stretch precedes a shortening contraction, increasing force and power. Elastic energy stored during landing can help power the next hop.
Locomotion: Movement from one place to another by an organism. Hopping is one way organisms achieve locomotion.
Plyometrics: Training exercises that use rapid muscle stretch and shortening to develop explosive movement. Repeated hops are a common way to train reactive lower-limb power.
Skipping: A locomotor pattern combining a step and a hop, alternated between the legs. Skipping alternates legs and adds a step, unlike repeated hops on one limb.
Ground reaction force: The force exerted by a surface on a body in contact with it. Its timing and magnitude determine how the supporting limb redirects the body upward.
Walking: A gait in which the body moves through alternating steps while at least one foot remains on the ground. Walking maintains ground contact rather than repeating single-foot jumps.
Hop test: A functional test that measures performance on one or more single-leg hopping tasks. Distance and control in hopping help assess lower-limb function.
Galloping: A locomotor gait in which one foot consistently leads while the other follows. Galloping uses an asymmetrical sequence of steps rather than single-limb repeated jumps.
Center of mass: The point representing the average position of mass in a body or system. A stable hopping pattern requires controlling its movement over the supporting foot.
Running: A gait characterized by alternating strides and an airborne phase between ground contacts. Running alternates support between limbs instead of repeatedly jumping from one.

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