Jump Rope Information for Kids
Jumping rope is an activity performed around the world. It is more than a game to some and has grown into an international competitive sport. Learning how to jump rope does not require an advanced skill set. Even the youngest children can learn the motions.
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History
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Jumping rope dates back to 1600 B.C., according to researchers at the Jump Rope Institute. It began in Egypt and extended to Asia before spreading to Europe and eventually reaching the United States. Early jumpers in Egypt jumped over vines. In Australia, kids skipped over bamboo. In medieval times, kids skipped through hoops.
Types
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Jumping rope goes by different names. For some, it's playing jump rope. To others it's skipping rope or rope jumping, with variations on all these terms.
Single jumping requires one person and one rope. A jumper clutches the handles of the rope and swings it in a quick downward motion, lifting his feet to jump over the rope before it lands.
Double Dutch jumping requires at least three people, one on each end of two ropes, holding onto the handles. The handlers circle each rope simultaneously in opposite directions, while the jumper waits outside the ropes for an opportune time to jump in. The jumper must jump through a double set of ropes by slightly lifting both feet off the ground and landing softly on the toes and balls of the feet. Additional jumpers may join in at any time. Make it a game by assigning rhymes and songs to coincide with the rhythm of the jumps.
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Benefits
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Exercising takes many forms, and jumping rope is one of them. It is considered a low-impact activity in comparison with running, according to Helium.com, but it can still raise the heart rate. Jumping rope provides a workout to each limb, the wrists and shoulders after just a few jumps, according to Fitness-Made-Fun.com.
Benefits include improved agility, weight loss, endurance and better coordination. Additionally, taking on jump roping doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. Beginners especially should begin with an inexpensive jump rope. As the jumper improves, she may want to invest in a more expensive sturdy rope that will last a while.
Potential
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Jumping rope is also a sport. Kids compete across different skill levels and categories, including speed jumping, freestyle jumping and artistic jumping.
In speed jumping, the jumper gets in as many jumps as possible for a predetermined duration ranging from 10 seconds to three minutes. Freestyle jumping adheres to a choreographed routine judged on the level of difficulty and the number of missed jumps. Artistic jumping is a form of expression. The Olympics has a spot for this sport in women's rhythmic gymnastics.
Warning
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If you purchase a rubber jump rope, avoid using it on cement or other abrasive surfaces. It will wear down more quickly and even break.
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References
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- Photo Credit FreeStockPhotos.com
