Comparative Training Responses to Rope Skipping and Jogging

The Influence of Different Rope Jumping Methods on Adolescents' Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Ground-Contact Phase

As a simple and beneficial way of exercise, rope skipping is favored by the majority of teenagers, but incorrect rope skipping may lead to the risk of injury. In this study, 16 male adolescent subjects were tested for bounced jump skipping and alternating jump rope skipping. The kinematic data of the hip, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint of lower extremities and the kinetics data of lower extremity touching the ground during rope skipping were collected, respectively. Moreover, the electromyography (EMG) data of multiple muscles of the lower extremity were collected by Delsys wireless surface EMG tester. Results revealed that bounced jump (BJ) depicted a significantly smaller vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) than alternate jump (AJ) during the 11−82% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.001), and the peak ground reaction force and average loading rate were significantly smaller than AJ. From the kinematic perspective, in the sagittal plane, when using BJ, the flexion angle of the hip joint was comparably larger at 12−76% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.01) and the flexion angle of the knee joint was significantly larger at 13−72% of the ground-contact stage (p < 0.001). When using two rope skipping methods, the minimum dorsal extension angle of the metatarsophalangeal joint was more than 25°, and the maximum was even higher than 50°. In the frontal plane, when using AJ, the valgus angle of the knee joint was significantly larger during the whole ground-contact stage (p < 0.001), and the adduction angle of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) was significantly larger at 0−97% of the ground-contact stage (p = 0.001). EMG data showed that the standardized value of root mean square amplitude of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateral head of BJ was significantly higher than AJ. At the same time, that of semitendinosus and iliopsoas muscle was significantly lower. According to the above results, compared with AJ, teenagers receive less GRF and have a better landing buffer strategy to reduce load, and have less risk of injury during BJ. In addition, in BJ rope skipping, the lower limbs are more inclined to the calf muscle group force, while AJ is more inclined to the thigh muscle group force. We also found that in using two ways of rope skipping, the extreme metatarsophalangeal joint back extension angle could be a potential risk of injury for rope skipping.

Aerobic Requirements for and Heart Rate Responses to Variations in Rope Jumping Techniques

In brief: Previous studies have suggested that experienced rope jumpers have a reduced aerobic requirement. However, these exercisers typically train with a variety of techniques, which may affect aerobic requirements. In this study, nine experienced rope jumpers performed each of five basic techniques at the same speed. Results show that the "alternate foot" technique is the most efficient; the "crossover" technique, least efficient. A subgroup of four subjects was studied to determine if they consistently trained in the aerobic range during a "typical" workout. These results show that even highly skilled rope jumpers can maintain an adequate exercise intensity during their workouts.

Metabolie and Cardiorespiratory Responses of Young Women to Skipping and Jogging

In brief: To compare jogging and skipping with respect to metabolic demand, musculoskeletal stress, and perceived exertion, nine women (aged 18 to 29) were studied while jogging and skipping at treadmill speeds of 4.0, 4.8, and 5.4 mph. Data for V O2, heart rate, and perceived exertion were collected, and the subjects provided subjective ratings of musculoskeletal stress. The results showed that skipping imposed significantly greater metabolic demands and caused higher heart rates than jogging at each speed. In additon, skipping was rated as more stressful to the legs and ankles and less enjoyable. Thus skipping appears to be a stronger cardiorespiratory training stimulus than jogging for a given pace, but a less enjoyable activity.