AlexanderE said:Joshua, is it possible, that parkour still differentiates from gymnastics? Legit question. What I mean here is that the movements practiced in parkour are so basic compared gymnastics (pommelhorse flares, circles and so on vs things like normal vaults). The "basic" strength you need to perform these excersizes are completely different, and I think that MUCH more maximal strength will seem unneccessary in terms of increasing the length of a vault. Please enlighten me if I am wrong.
The complexity of the movement doesn't really factor into the equation. Explosiveness requires maximal strength regardless of how simple the movement is. Having a high vertical jump, for example, requires very strong legs. At some point it becomes beneficial to shift one's focus from maximal strength to explosiveness, but that point comes towards the end of the Foundation series.
Don't forget the necessity of joint and tendon preparation, too. Heavy plyometric work is very hard on the connective tissue, and the best preparation for that kind of work is low to medium intensity, high-rep work (like that found in Foundation).