VIDEO games and play stations have ruined sports like rope skipping, lamented Vivek Soni, Technical Co-ordinator, Rope Skipping Federation of India (RSFI). Soni was addressing participants in the webinar series titled ‘Karate and Sports seminar for Physical and Spiritual Development of the Students’. The sessions are being organised by Karate Budokan International (Vidarbha Region) and is hosted by Kyoshi Harish Choube (Black Belt 7th Dan) National Chief Instructor and Examiner Karate Budokan International. In the 51st session of the series that was conducted on Saturday, Soni talked in detail about the simple looking rope skipping sport. “Rope skipping is a well-known sport. One must have seen young boys and girls skipping rope in childhood and may be some of you also attempted to same. Rope skipping is not a joke and not as simple as most of the people think. Skipping went out of fashion because video games and play stations came along. But interesting fact is that teachers, parents and even doctors are now pushing to bring it back. Heart foundations and health ministries across the world are adopting rope skipping to keep their citizens healthy because of low cost alternate for urban as well as rural areas.

 

 

 

Once considered childish, this ancient playtime skill is making a comeback,” said Soni. Rope skipping is a low cost yet very effective sport for fitness. “What’s emerging is not just an effective route to mass fitness for little outlay (Rs 80 for decent rope), but a new place for India’s young athletes in a growing international sport that is intriguing to watch. You will be surprised to know that 10 minutes of rope skipping is equal to 30 minutes of jogging. One does not need to spend hours on fitness and one can jump rope anywhere and no special equipment is required. An interesting thought for those of us with hectic lifestyles that use the excuse that we can’t find time to exercise,” added Soni. Among other advantages of the sport, Soni said, “The variety of movement combinations is unlimited, offering opportunities to express creativity and individuality. Rope skipping improves fine co-ordination agility and fluidity of movement, flexibility and lateral movement. It also improves the sense of rhythm, speed, power, timing and balance. The rapid progression and improvement often experienced with skipping/jumping rope may help enhance self-esteem and body image. Rope skipping also promotes social aspects.

 

Especially Double Dutch and freestyle encourage team spirit. There are however, also enough possibilities for less acrobatically sportsmen and women. Rope skipping is not only a lot of fun, but also good for your health. Your blood circulation system becomes stronger and your condition improves. Hence, it is considered a very good cardio vascular exercise. One of the best exercises to counteract osteoporosis (weakening of bone) during the later stage in life.” Soni urged the participants to skip themselves to fitness. “The health benefits obtain from a small amount of cardiovascular exercise each week is well established. Moderate to low intensity activities done as little as 30 minutes a day can bring benefits. Such activities include walking, gardening, housework, and stair climbing. More vigorous aerobic exercise such as running, swimming, cycling and skipping done for a minimum of 30 minutes at least three times a week are much more beneficial for improving the fitness of the heart and lungs. Studies show this type of exercise will help reduce the risk of heart disease, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

 

Exercise also reduces the risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes, colon cancer, depression and anxiety. As well as help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight. That’s why should one should choose skipping over any other form of aerobic exercise. Skipping will, like other exercise, improve your heart rate and blood pressure, promote fat loss, improve flexibility, co-ordination and balance and improve muscle tone particularly in the thighs, buttocks, calves. As skipping is a high impact exercise it is also particularly beneficial in maintain/improving bone density which in turn can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in later life. As it improves balance and co-ordination in can help reduce the risk of falls. “Beginners can mix shorter bouts of skipping with longer periods of lower-impact/intensity exercise such as marching in place, step-ups etc or strengthening exercises such as sit-ups, press-ups etc,” Soni concluded. The programme concluded with an interactive session of question and answers. Ishwar Singh Chauhan proposed a vote of thanks.