As jump rope/rope skipping continues to grow as a global sport, so does the science behind it. This collection of academic studies and research articles highlights the latest insights into the physical, mental, and social benefits of jump rope/rope skipping. By showcasing this research, we aim to support athletes, coaches, and educators in deepening their understanding of the sport.
If you know of any additional academic work related to jump rope/rope skipping, we invite you to contribute! Please send articles to info@ijru.sport and help us expand this resource.
A school-based rope skipping program for adolescents: Results of a randomized trial
By: Amy S. Ha, Chris Lonsdale, Johan Y.Y. Ng, David R. Lubans
Published: 23 June 2017
Despite physical education's health enhancing potential, students' activity levels in lessons are low. We evaluated a school-based intervention that involved rope skipping on students' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in physical education. The intervention was evaluated using a clustered randomized controlled trial in 24 classes (N = 731 students; M = 14.38 years; all from Secondary 2) from 12 Hong Kong schools during September to December 2013. The primary outcome was percentage of lesson time spent in MVPA. Secondary outcomes included students' vigorous activity, counts per minute, perceived autonomy support and motivation for physical education. Accelerometer-based activity measures were taken from a sub-sample of 168 students during lessons 1 to 3 (baseline) and lessons 5 to 7 (treatment phase). Participants self-reported motivation variables at lessons 4 and 8. Teachers allocated to the experimental group included an intervention during treatment phase; those in the control group continued usual practices. The intervention involved a 15-minute rope skipping activity where students completed intervals of skipping with rests in between. Using multilevel modeling, we examined the intervention effects on measured outcomes, and whether effects differed for boys and girls. Overall intervention effects were not found. However, girls in the intervention group spent more time in MVPA (β = 0.25) and had higher counts per minute (β = 0.32) than control group counterparts at treatment phase. Perceived autonomy support and motivation variables were similar across groups. The intervention increased activity levels of girls, but not boys. Implementation of the intervention may reduce differences between boys' and girls' physical education activity levels.
Rope skipping increases bone mineral density at calcanei of pubertal girls in Hong Kong: A quasi-experimental investigation
By: Amy S. Ha and Johan Y. Y. Ng
Published: 08 December 2017
Bone mineral accrual during puberty is important, especially in girls, because it is related to reduced risks of osteoporosis in adulthood. Previous research has shown that jumping or plyometric exercises may be effective in increasing bone mineral density in adolescents. Rope skipping is a form of activity that involves jumping, thus regular skipping may also increase bone mineral density in pubertal girls. To this end, we conducted a quasi-experimental to examine the effects of rope skipping on girls’ bone mineral density and cardiovascular fitness. 176 Hong Kong girls (age = 12.23 ± 1.80 years at baseline) were recruited to take part in the study. Bone density at their forearms and calcanei were measured twice over two academic years (mean time between visits was 10.3 months). Using multilevel modeling analyses and adjusting for participants’ height and physical activity, we found that girls who participated in weekly rope skipping activities, compared to those who did not, had higher levels of bone density at the calcanei (B = 0.023, p < .01). However, no differences were found for bone density at forearms or participants’ cardiovascular fitness. The rates of change of these variables across time were also not significantly different. Results suggest that regular rope skipping may increase girls’ bone density at the lower extremities, irrespective of the amount of self-report physical activity. However, further research is required to examine the potential dose-response relation between skipping behaviors and the measured outcomes.
Effects of Jump Rope Lessons on Physical Skills, Inhibitory Control, and Perceived Enjoyment of Elementary Students
By: Kaylee F. Woodard and YuChun Chen
First Published Online: 09 Aug 2024
Purpose: This research examined the effects of a freestyle jump rope unit on students’ jump rope proficiency, agility, balance, inhibitory control, physical activity level, and perceived enjoyment. Method: One hundred and nine third and fourth graders were randomly assigned to the video-led (VID), teacher-led (TEA), or control group. A 30-s jump test, crisscross test, shuttle run, balance test, and Stroop test were conducted before and after the intervention. Physical activity level and perceived enjoyment were also assessed. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed that all groups showed significant improvement on the 30-s jump test, the VID and TEA groups improved on the crisscross test, and the TEA group ran significantly faster on the shuttle run following the intervention. The VID and TEA groups showed significantly greater inhibitory control after the intervention. Students in all groups were less active in the last two lessons compared with previous lessons. Perceived enjoyment was higher after Lesson 2 than Lesson 8. Discussion/Conclusion: This research indicated that implementing a freestyle jump rope unit in PE can elicit various benefits for children aged 8–9 years. Additionally, using a teacher-led instructional method may yield advantages beyond video-based instruction.