Abstract des Autors

Many people are searching for a convenient and inexpensive form of exercise, and rope skipping seems quite attractive. However, our laboratory observationsshow that previous claims for rope skipping may be exaggerated. Rope skipping raises the heart rate substantially and may have potential for developing cardiorespiratory fitness. However, rope skipping should be done with caution,especially in persons who have low fitness levels. When energy expenditure (kcal/min) comparisons are made at the same heart rate, jogging appears to be better for developing physical fitness, because it involves more muscle mass than skipping in place. More research using accepted physiological measures isneeded to accurately assess the training benefits of regular bouts of skipping. If a person wants to get physiological training benefits from rope skipping, it appears that heart rate intensity and the time spent skipping have to be at least as great as jogging. The belief that jumping rope for ten minutes is equal to 30 minutes of jogging is exaggerated and unfounded. Furthermore, the energy requirement imposed by skipping rope is not reasonablefor the average sedentary person. Thus we should adopt a more cautious view ofthe possible training benefits of rope skipping and its role as a mode fitnesstraining. Verf.-Referat