Jumping Rope: Not Just for Kids Anymore
Remember the song, “Not last night but the night before, twenty-four robbers came knockin’ on my door?” Those were the days when playing hopscotch, jumping rope and hanging on the monkey bars were our primary occupations.
While hopscotch and swinging from the jungle gym may no longer be a part of your leisure time, jumping rope could be. Not only is it a great cardiovascular alternative to your usual aerobic workout, jumping rope can increase body awareness and develop better hand and foot coordination.

Roping Essentials

One of the greatest things about jumping rope is how little it takes to get started. All you really need are some comfortable shoes and a good rope. The best shoes for jumping rope are either aerobic shoes or cross-trainers. Be sure your shoes have a reinforced toe and provide a lot of cushioning for the balls of the feet.

Jump ropes have come a long way since most of us were skipping around the playground. Today, they are made from a variety of materials and feature various grip styles.

Some ropes are weighted or have heavy handles. These ropes are usually too cumbersome and are not recommended. Instead, choose a light-weight rope with foam grips so it won’t slip away from you even if your palms get sweaty.

Here’s how to choose the right length rope for you: Step one foot on the center of the rope and bring both handles up to the chest. The handles should reach about chest high.

Learning the Basics

Here is a breakdown of the do’s and don’ts of jumping rope:

• Lightly grip the handles near the end closest to the rope.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed and your elbows close to your body.
• Your knees should be bent slightly.
• Turn the rope from the wrist and aim to keep a smooth arc in the rope as it passes over your head.
• Never hunch over. Keep your back straight and your head up.
• Jump low to keep the impact on your knees and ankles to a minimum.

Jumping Rope—A Refresher Course

If it’s been a while since you’ve swung a rope, you can rest easy—the essentials are still the same. And the essentials are all you really need to know to get a good workout. But if you want to create a fun and exciting workout, you’ll have to add an extra element—a little pizzazz.
The easiest way to do this is to turn on some upbeat music to get you motivated. Fun, exciting music is the best way to keep your energy up during your workout.
Once you have mastered basic jumping, try getting a little creative. Jump backward or vary your foot patterns. Try bringing your knees up or scissoring your legs. If you find yourself needing a break but you don’t want to stop completely, twirl the rope from side to side.
The point is to stick with it. You’re sure to notice a marked improvement in your endurance level, which will help any other sports or activities you may do. And who knows? Jumping rope might even make you feel like a kid again.

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Keeping the Immune System in Good Shape

Research has established a link between moderate, regular exercise and a strong immune system. Early studies reported that recreational exercisers reported fewer colds once they began running. Moderate exercise has been linked to a positive immune system response and a temporary boost in the production of macrophages, the cells that attack bacteria. It is believed that regular, consistent exercise can lead to substantial benefits in immune system health over the long term.

More recent studies have shown that there are physiological changes in the immune system as a response to exercise. During moderate exercise, immune cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill bacteria and viruses. After exercise ends, the immune system generally returns to normal within a few hours, but consistent, regular exercise seems to make these changes a bit more long-lasting.

According to professor David Nieman, Dr. PH., of Appalachian State University, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near-daily basis there is a cumulative effect that leads to a long-term immune response. His research showed that those who perform a moderate-intensity walk for 40 minutes per day had half as many sick days due to colds or sore throats as those who don’t exercise.

On the other hand, there is also evidence that too much intense exercise can reduce immunity. Research shows that more than 90 minutes of high-intensity endurance exercise can make athletes susceptible to illness for up to 72 hours after the exercise session. This is important information for those who compete in longer events such as marathons or triathlons. Intense exercise seems to cause a temporary decrease in immune system function. During intense physical exertion, the body produces certain hormones that temporarily lower immunity. Cortisol and adrenaline, known as the stress hormones, raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels and suppress the immune system.

Should you exercise when sick?

Fitness enthusiasts and endurance athletes alike are often uncertain of whether they should exercise or rest when sick. Most sports-medicine experts in this area recommend that if you have symptoms of a common cold with no fever (that is, symptoms are above the neck), moderate exercise such as walking is probably safe.

Intensive exercise should be postponed until a few days after the symptoms have gone away. However, if there are symptoms or signs of the flu (fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands), then at least two weeks should probably be allowed before you resume intensive training.

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