Feasibility and Evaluation of an After-School Jump Rope Program

Abstract

Childhood obesity has increased significantly in the U.S. over the past two decades. After-school programs can provide opportunities for increasing moderate to vigorous physical (MVAP) activity among children, which could potentially decrease the incidence of obesity. After-school jump rope programs may be one ideal setting to help increase physical activity among children; however, few studies have evaluated these programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of an after-school jump rope program for children and to evaluate the time and intensity of activity. Additionally, psychological variable were assessed. Students ages 8-12 years old from two elementary schools (n=28) participated in a 12-week after-school jump rope program that met twice a week for 90 minutes each session. Participants practiced individual and group jump rope skills and learned a team routine that they performed at the end of the 12 weeks. In the 90-minutes session, participants spent 17.3 minutes (19.2%) in vigorous activity, 28.0 minutes (31.2%) in moderate activity, 8.0 minutes (8.9%) in light activity, and 36.7 (40.7%) in sedentary behavior. No changes were observed in perceptions of competence, physical activity enjoyment, or goal orientation from pre- to post-test. Overall weekly physical activity, F(1, 27)=53.1, p<.001, ?� =.663, and METs, F(1, 27)=82.1, p<.001, ?� =.753, increased from pre- to post-test. These findings suggest that additional research is needed to better understand the effect of jump rope programs on psychological variables. Additionally, it appears that jump rope programs may be an effective venue for helping children achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.