skipping activities for physical education pdf

Jump Rope For Heart - Starting To Skip

Lesson 2 of 4 in this unit

• Health and Physical Education
• Physical Education
• Mental Health
• Physical Health
• Social and Emotional Learning

Lesson summary

Never picked up a skipping rope before? No problem. This lesson is designed to familiarise students with skipping ropes and teacher expectations in order to create a safe and productive environment to begin learning some basic skipping skills.

Learning intentions:

Students will....

• develop an awareness of their bodies, gross motor skills and rhythm
• build confidence in skipping equipment and processes.

Success criteria:

Students can....

• move their bodies in a variety of ways
• demonstrate how to check equipment is appropriate
• demonstrate how to use skipping ropes safely
• perform some simple skipping skills on their own and with a group.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping.

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:  

Foundation Year Health and Physical Education:

• Practise personal and social skills to interact positively with others ( ACPPS004 )
• Practise fundamental movement skills and movement sequences using different body parts ( ACPMP008 )
• Explore how regular physical activity keeps individuals healthy and well ( ACPMP010 )
• Follow rules when participating in physical activities ( ACPMP014 )

Years 1 & 2 Health and Physical Education:

• Explore actions that help make the classroom a healthy, safe and active place ( ACPPS022 )
• Perform fundamental movement skills in a variety of movement sequences and situations ( ACPMP025 )
• Create and participate in games with and without equipment ( ACPMP027)
• Discuss the body’s reactions to participating in physical activities ( ACPMP028 )
• Incorporate elements of effort, space, time, objects and people in performing simple movement sequences ( ACPMP029 )

Syllabus outcomes:   COES1.1, IPES1.11, MOES1.4, GSES1.8, GYES1.10, ALES1.6, SLS1.13, MOS1.4, GSS1.8, GYS1.10, ALS1.6, PHS1.12

General capabilities:   Personal and Social Capability

Relevant parts of Foundation Year Health and Physical Education achievement standards:  Students perform fundamental movement skills and solve movement challenges. They demonstrate how to move and play safely. Students use personal and social skills when working with others in a range of activities. They describe how their body responds to movement.

Relevant parts of Year 1 & 2 Health and Physical Education achievement standards:  Students identify areas where they can be active and how the body reacts to different physical activities. They demonstrate fundamental movement skills in a variety of movement sequences and situations and test alternatives to solve movement challenges.  This lesson is part of the wider unit of work  Jump Rope For Heart: Jump Starters – Years F-2

Time required:  50 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding:  Medium – teacher facilitates skipping movements skills

Resources required

• Basketball court, tennis court, stadium, or open outdoor area
• Skipping rope – long
• Skipping ropes – short – one per student

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Communication
• Social skills
• Collaboration

Additional info

The Heart Foundation’s ready-made skipping program,  Jump Rope for Heart,  helps primary school students move more and have fun, while they raise funds for heart research, patient support and programs that help save lives.

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More from this unit.

• Lesson 1 of 4

Jump Rope For Heart - Healthy Hearts

• Lesson 3 of 4

Jump Rope For Heart - What's For Lunch?

• Lesson 4 of 4

Jump Rope For Heart - Measuring Skipping Skills

• Mathematics

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Name of Activity:

Purpose of activity:, activity cues:.

JUMPING AND LANDING cue card: Jump �Bend knees and hips �Swing arms hard �Push off the ground with the balls of feet Land �Bend knees and hips for �Quiet Landings� �Land on balls of feet ROPE JUMPING�ONE LONG ROPE cue card: Turners � Turn rope with your arms using medium to large circles. Don�t turn rope with wrist! � Watch jumpers feet as you turn. � Don�t get too far apart�some of the rope should be dragging the floor. Jumpers �To enter a turning rope, stand on the side of the rope so the rope is being turned towards you. Enter by following the rope and go the center between the turners. �Face one of the turners and while jumping don�t move from the center of the rope. �Make small jumps (just big enough to clear the rope) and land on balls of feet. Jumping and Landing Cues

Prerequisites:

Suggested grade level:, materials needed:.

Description of Idea

Station 1: LONG JUMP Place tumbling mats on the floor with a stepper step at one end. Hang a Jumping and Landing Cue Card on wall by station.

Students will stand on the stepper step and jump off as far as they can. Challenge students to jump farther each time. Remind them not to fall after landing!

Station 2: �JUMP THE SNAKE� Place a long jump rope on the floor. Hang a Jumping and Landing cue card on the wall by station.

Two students will hold the rope ends and sit on the floor. They begin to wiggle the rope slowly so it looks like a snake (remind them that the rope stays on the ground). The other students take turns running and jumping over the wiggly snake, hoping not to step on the rope. Students take turns holding the rope ends and jumping. As time progresses, challenge students by asking rope holders to wiggle it faster.

Station 3: SWING JUMPING�ONE LONG ROPE Place a long jump rope on the floor. Tape an �X� on the floor to �mark� the middle. Hang a Jumping and Landing cue card on the wall by the station.

Two students will hold the rope ends. They begin swinging the rope back and forth like a pendulum. The other students take turns jumping over the rope, hoping not to step on the rope. Students take turns holding the rope ends and jumping.

Station 4: ROPE JUMPING�ONE LONG ROPE Place a long jump rope on the floor. Tape an �X� on the floor to �mark� the middle. Hang the Rope�One Long Rope cue card on the wall by the station.

1st activity: Two students will hold the rope ends. They begin turning the rope. The other students take turns running through the twirling rope, trying not to get touched by the rope. Students take turns holding the rope ends and running through.

2nd Activity: Students will repeat 1st activity, but will now jump the rope once or twice before exiting rope, trying not to get touched by the rope.

Station 5: JUMP OVER Place obstacles (cones, polyspots, hula hoops) randomly throughout the activity area. Hang the Jumping and Landing cue card on the wall by the station.

Students will jump over the obstacles.

Station 6: HOP SCOTCH Place 2 hop scotch rugs on the floor. Hang the Jumping and Landing cue card on the wall by the station.

Students will follow the hop scotch pattern.

Station 7: JUMP JINGLE Students will stand in a circle, recite in a rhythmic way the following verse, and perform the motions. Hang the Jumping and Landing cue card on the wall by the station.

(All Chant) Jump In, Jump Out, Turn Yourself About Jump In, Jump Out, Introduce Yourself! (All point to first child in circle)

(First child will chant) My name is ___________, (All say �Woooo!�) name and I�m a ____________, (All say �Uh-Huh!� dancer, baseball player, musician, singer, etc�pantomime activity Gonna be a ___________, (All say �YEAH!�) same�pantomime activity Every day of my life! (Child point to self, proudly)

(All chant) Every day of HER life! (All point to child) Repeat, with each child getting a chance to chant and pantomime.

Assessment Ideas:

Give each child a list of activities. At end of class, they can put sticky stars next to each activity or challenge that they feel they performed correctly and to the best of their ability.

Previous Comments:

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The PE Specialist

Awesome Resources for Physical Education Teachers

How To Teach Jump Rope in Phys Ed Class

How to Teach Jump Rope in Phys Ed Class

(link to podcast episode), podcast below: ( itunes ), youtube show below:.

Resources/Links

Intro/”why”.

• An easy and cheap way of staying healthy for a lifetime.
• Teaching students so many different “tricks” that students never get bored. Super important life skills.
• Kick off the unit by showing them a video of World Class Jump Roping.
• Viven Vijad, 14 time Women’s World Champion Highlight Video
• Nick Woodward: Men’s World Champion Slow-Mo Video

• Explaining to students about making mistakes and how important it is to practice! Very Relatable!

Instagram Live Questions: What’s the youngest grade you do Jump Roping with? We do jump roping with all grades.  We just modify it for the younger students! Kindergarten is an awesome starting point to sell the perseverance because most will struggle to jump.

• Remind students…Jump Roping is hard but if you keep practicing you will get better.   Five Steps To Teaching a 5 Year Old to Jump Rope

Instagram Live Questions: At what age can you access motor quality? You can begin accessing at any age.  We are going to refer you to Page 12 of the Grade Level Outcomes from SHAPE America

Jump Rope Management

• Maintaining an efficient jump rope station is key to student management.
• There are many different types…Carts, Wall Mounts, Racks…
• Discuss with your students how to gather and put back Jump Ropes.
• Before students try jump ropes we discuss how to measure the jump rope.  After practicing allow students time for exchanges (we all make mistakes).  Only with the older students.
• Check the video What Size Jump Rope Do I Need for an easy way to help your students figure out what a good size rope is for them.  In my experience the estimate below works pretty well:

• K – 7-foot ropes
• 1st – 2nd – 7-8 foot ropes
• 3rd – 5th – 8 – 9 foot ropes
• Distributing jump ropes is based on your classroom makeup. Common strategies include:
• Students getting their own jump ropes.
• A teacher passing out jump ropes.
• Laying out jump ropes in and around the jumping area for students to choose.
• Teacher hack for managing Jump Ropes.  I place a hula hoop rack on the back of my equipment do.  Check out the video here to see how it’s done.

• At the start of the day, have the students gather or get jump ropes from the teacher.  At the end of the class, have students place the jump ropes against the wall for easy exchange. Then at the end of the day, have each student bring ONE handle of the jump ropes for easy cleanup.

Instagram Live Question: I’m a new PE teacher, how do you break down your grading system.   For complete answer check out our FAQ’s page .

• To help with management, you could have students practice cleaning up at stations or any activity before the unit so students are aware of how to clean up jump ropes.
• The size of the jump rope is not the most important factor.  Student interest and success, even if the size is different, is the most important factor.  Different people like different things!
• Discuss at the beginning of the unit/lesson about only touching the jump ropes when the music on (or on teacher signal).  This way students are listening to the teacher.

Assessing Jump Rope Skills

• One of the ways we give students a way of assessing their jump roping skills is through the Endurance Club Challenge .  A detailed explanation can be found at the linked video.

• Endurance Club Challenge can be related to the PACER test.  Pacing is important, you want to last as long as you can. Kids love putting their names on the wall.
• Other ways to assess jump roping in class include a trick checklist, partner checklist, speed test and creating your own jump rope routine.  You can Purchase our Jump Rope Resource Pack on our Jump Rope Unit Overview Page HERE

Instagram Live Question: Can you suggest a valid test to test agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, explosive strength? We don’t have time to assess all the areas (only see our students once a week) but for the fitness components, we do assess, check out the blog post How I Teach Fitnessgram !

Jump Roping with Kindergarteners

• Breaking down the jump roping components into simple steps is most important.  The first concept we work on is the jump. (Bending knees, landing softly)
• We start by laying the rope on the ground and practice different jumps.  Laying the rope on the ground allows students to focus on jumping and not worry about turning. (Check out different rope tricks you can do on the ground HERE )

• Next, we practice just turn the rope, no jump, afterward we put all the steps together.  TURN FIRST, THEN JUMP!
• Hula Hooping
• Hula Jumping
• Jumping with the Rope on the ground
• Turning the rope
• Turning and Jumping
• Snake – Attach the rope to a chair and shake it like a snake

Key steps for Kindergarten students

• Teach management skills – how to handle the rope, when and when not to use the rope, how to clean up the rope
• Continue to reinforce the buy-in and commitment, DO GIVE UP!

Instagram Live Question: Given the choice between a badminton unit and Jump Rope unit which one would you choose? In summary, we would prefer to teach Jump Rope simply because it is easier for us to find success with students using Jump Rope.  Long handled implements are difficult for our students in our situation. Plus the birdie is difficult for students at our level to have significant success.

Breaking Down the Jump Rope Unit

• Three to Four weeks long (Kindergarten schedule is a little different because this is their introduction to Jump Rope)
• Single tricks ( Tutorial of Jump Rope Tricks HERE ).  Students are focused on themselves and trying to improve their skill of Jump Roping.
• We really like to teach students different tricks, especially for those students who may struggle with Jump Rope, a different trick may be the one component they use to improve.
• If you are lucky enough to have a screen in your gym, we have animated GIF’s you can use to play in the background that is SUPER helpful. Link to Animated GIF’s and Follow the Leader Videos HERE!
• Be willing to demonstrate the Jump Rope tricks yourself.  Give students a visual of success and failure. This will motivate them to not give up.

Instagram Live Question: Softball game ideas.   Check out these games on PE UNIVERSE for ideas! One Base GrandSlam Quickball

If you have a tight space what are some ways to engage students without many jump ropes? You can do some partner jumps where one partner is jumping with the other is assessing and giving tips.  You can also have student practice jumping without Jump Ropes (lines on the ground, low hurdles, other equipment).  Practicing without a rope can help improve students footwork with Jump Rope tricks which will help them when they start to turn the rope.

Week Two: Single Trick Review, Partner Tricks

• Review some of the single tricks and introduction from Week One. If you didn’t get to some of the tricks in the first week, this would be a good time to go over the ones you missed.
• Afterward, we get into Partner Tricks.  Some students enjoy working with partners on Jump Rope Skills.
• Partner Jumping can help those students who may struggle with jumping rope and pair them with students who do well.  This can help to build confidence.

Instagram Live Question: Where are you guys located? We are located in South Carolina.

Week Three: Team Jump Roping

• Instead of partners working together, we have two people turning the rope.  Hack: Use the 9’ to 10’ foot rope for 1st graders. Super long ropes are difficult for them to turn.
• Also, have a “Turning the Rope” station for 1st grade.  This will help them practice the correct way to turn the jump rope.
• Once you see students have the turndown, then add in another student in the middle for jumping.
• 3rd – 5th-grade students can play a game of “Run Through School” this is a fun long rope activity.  Stress to the class the TURNERS are the most important students in the activities.
• Another instant activity or station you can do with your students is the Thunderstick Challenge. Super fun activity!

Week Four: Whirlwind Tournament

• Whirlwind Tournament is done with 3rd – 5th graders.  Great idea from JD Hughes ! Check out his site for all his amazing games, activities, and ideas!

• Make sure to have a structured plan so the same student is not turning the rope the whole time.
• If students make a mistake have them become the turner.
• The turner can only turn for a certain amount of time.
• You could also have a Running Through School Tournament.  Have students reach a certain grade, then they become a “coach” and allow those students to become the turners.

Jump Rope Stations

• A fun way to practice all the activities from the previous weeks.
• Here are a few examples of some Jump Rope Station Activities Setup and with students participating .   You can get the jump rope station signs in our Jump Rope Resource Pack on our Jump Rope Unit Overview Page HERE.

Follow the Leader Videos  and Animated GIFS

Links to resources for jump rope for heart, download the show notes below:, have fun and teach on.

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Elevate Your PE Class with 25 Jump Rope Tricks, Skills, and Essential Tips

Jumping rope and learning new jump rope skills and tricks is an ideal way to add fun and variety to a physical education class. Progressing though a variety of jumping challenges in a PE class can really bolster a child's self-confidence, coordination and overall fitness level. There are many options when it comes to adding skills and tricks to your lessons using a single jump rope. These skills can range from basic jumps over a rope laying on the floor to performing complex turning and jumping tricks such as double-unders or crisscross maneuvers. This makes it perfect for students to practice and advance to new skills at their own level.

Pics by Stony Brook P.E. @stonybrookpe

In this blog post, I will discuss the benefits of using single jump ropes in physical education, examine ways to implement them in a typical PE lesson and provide several movements, skills, and tricks to teach in your classes. I will also provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform each jump rope maneuver. They are perfect for all age groups, and can help students stay engaged in their physical education classes throughout the school year. They can be implemented inside or outside and all you need is a single jump rope (7 - 8 ft long) for each student or one to share with a partner or small group. Let's get started!

What are the benefits of learning jump rope tricks/skills?

There are many reasons why learning jumping and turning skills and tricks with a single jump rope should be part of a physical education class.

Boosts Self Confidence: Learning how to jump rope, and perform various tricks can help build a child's confidence and self-esteem.

Increases Coordination and Rhythm: Manipulating a single jump rope requires coordination between the arms, wrists, and legs. This coordination will help children develop better control of their bodies and improve their overall coordination and rhythm.

Improves Fitness: Jumping and turning a rope is a great cardiovascular workout. It gets the heart pumping and can really get students moving, grooving, and sweating.

Relieves Stress: Jumping rope is a great way to have fun and relieve stress. It's a great way to take a break from the more traditional forms of exercise such as running or playing team sports.

How to use single jump ropes in a PE lesson?

Single (individual) jump ropes can be used in a variety of ways to teach a plethora of skills, movements and tricks. Students can work together in partners, groups, stations or practice individually during a PE lesson or as a classroom brain break. This blog article will highlight several jump rope tricks you can implement in your jump rope lessons, however short ropes can also be used in a typical physical education class for warm-ups, fitness units, assessment, relay races, field day events and obstacle courses!

Does working on jump rope skills help address PE standards?

Not only is learning jump roping skills a fun way to get students active, but they also help them master coordination and rhythm. This in turn helps THEM address SHAPE America's Standard 1 which states: The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.* The single jump rope skills, movements and tricks you choose to use during lessons can easily meet any national, state, or district standards.

25 Jump Rope Tricks and Skills to Teach in PE

The following fun and challenging movements are ideal if you want to get your students excited and active!

Your students can work on the following activities by themselves, with a

partner, or in small groups at various stations throughout your learning area.

1- Rope on the Ground Jumps (Level 1)

Rope on the ground skills- video

Long Jump- Stand at end of the rope. Jump as far a possible down the rope. Measure your distance on the rope. Repeat and try to go further. Tips: Squat low- Explode up and forward-Mark your jump on the rope where your heels landed.

2 Foot Jump- Stand at end of the rope. Jump from side-to-side (2 feet to 2 feet) down the rope. Tips: Stay on the balls of your feet- Try not to touch the rope- Use a skier motion.

1 Foot Hop - Stand at end of the rope. Hop from side-to-side (1 foot to same foot) down the rope. Tips: Stay on balls of your feet- Try not to touch the rope- Use a skier motion.

Criss Cross Jump- - Stand at end of the rope. Jump and cross then jump and uncross your legs all the way down the rope and back. Tips: Stay on the balls of your feet- Try not to touch the rope with your feet- Cross leg-uncross, cross leg-uncross.

Half Turn Over- Stand at end of the rope. Jump and turn ½ half way around (for each jump) all the way down the rope. Tips: Stay on the balls of your feet- Try not to touch the rope with your feet- Cross-uncross, cross-uncross.

2- Non-Jumping Swing Movements (Level 2)

Non-jumping skills- video

Helicopter- Hold your arm above your head with both handles in 1 hand. Turn the rope (rotate it around horizontally) around above your head. Tips: Turn the rope using your wrist- Lock your swinging arm in place.

Airplane- Hold your arm in front of your body with both handles in 1 hand. Turn the rope around (rotate it around vertically) as the rope passes in front of your body. Tips: Turn the rope using your wrist- Lock your swinging arm in place.

Side Swing - Hold a jump rope handle in each hand. Swing the rope to your side. Switch sides every 5 to 10 swings. Tips: Keep your elbows in- Feet together- Use a double wrist movement during each swing- Keep the rope tight .

Figure 8- Hold a jump rope handle in each hand. Swing the rope to one side. Switch sides after every swing in a figure 8 motion. Tips: Keep your elbows in- Feet together- Use a double wrist movement during each swing.

Washing Machine- Hold the rope with 2 handles in 1 hand. Pass the rope around your waist. Switch handles to opposite hand on each side of your body. Tips: Keep both handles together- Your hands move from the front to the back of your body.

3- Basic Jump Rope Skills (Level 3)

2 Foot Jump- Jump using both feet. Land on the balls of your feet each jump. Jump one time for every revolution of the rope. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Keep your feet together- Hold both elbows in.

Skier Jump- Jump to the left...Jump to the right using both feet. Jump one time for every revolution of the rope. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Move your feet from side to side- Keep your feet together.

Bell Jump - Jump forward...Jump back using both feet. Jump one time for every revolution of the rope. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Move your feet from front to back, then back to front- Keep your feet together.

Jogging Step- Step over with your left foot... Step over with your right foot. Continue alternating your feet in a jogging motion. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Keep your feet together- Hold both elbows in.

1 Foot Hop- Jump using both feet. Land on the balls of your feet each jump. Jump one time for every revolution of the rope. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Alternate your feet- Use jogging steps.

4- Intermediate Jump Rope Tricks (Level 4)

Jump Rope Skill Stations- video by Christine Mason @LPESVB

Spread Eagle- Keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Land on the balls of your feet each jump. Jump once for every revolution of the rope. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Keep a wide stance- Hold both elbows in.

Rocker- Put one foot in front of the other. Jump first on your front foot then onto your back foot. Your body weight will shift from your back foot to front foot as you jump. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Rock back and forth- Shift weight front to back...back to front.

Twister - Jump & rotate your hips to the left side. Perform a basic 2 foot jump. Jump & rotate your hips to right side...repeat this motion Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Lead with your hips- Hold both elbows in.

Scissor Jump- Jump and land with your left foot forward and right foot back. Jump again and reverse your feet before landing. Repeat this motion. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Lean forward- Stay on the balls of your feet.

Wounded Duck- Jump with your toes and knees turned inward. Then jump with your toes and knees turned outward. Repeat this motion. Tips: Turn the rope from your heels to your toes- Knees turn in and out each jump- Hold both elbows in.

5- Advanced Jump Rope Tricks (Level 5)

Figure 8- Jump- Swing the rope on your right side. Swing the rope on your left side. Perform a 2 foot basic jump. Repeat this motion. Tips: Turn the rope forward- Keep your hands together on swing motions- Keep your feet together.

Criss-Cross- Perform a 2 Foot Jump. Cross your arms until both elbows touch. Perform a 2 Foot Jump. Open the rope and perform a basic jump. Tips: Your hands stay low- Hold the end of the handles- Cross far over your body before you jump.

Double Under - Jump high and turn the rope twice under your feet while you are airborne. Whip the rope with your wrists to increase the rope speed. Tips: Turn the rope from your toes to your heels- Jump High- Perform 3 standard jumps first before the double under.

2 Facing Jumpers- A partner faces the jumper. One partner controls the rope. The other partner jumps in to the rope to join a basic 2 foot jump motion. Tips: Wait until the rope goes under your partner’s feet to join in- Stretch your arms out on the rope turn.

2 Side-by-Side Jumpers- Both partners stand shoulder to shoulder. A rope is in the right hand of the right-side partner; left hand for the left-side partner. Perform a basic jump in unison. Tips: Turn the rope from your toes to your heels- Keep the rope above your shoulders.

Final thoughts

The use of single jump ropes in physical education can add a fun and challenging element to your lessons. Jumping rope is a great way to increase self-confidence, boost fitness levels and coordination, and relieve stress. There are an countless number of skills, movements and tricks you can teach your students to help them improve. When teaching jump rope movements, it is important to start with the basic jumps and swings, then progress to the more difficult tricks as your students master the easier ones. Remember to stress that safety comes first when using jump ropes in class. You will find the highlighted 25 jump rope ideas to be valuable in your future teaching endeavors. Be creative and come up with your own unique jump rope skills and challenges for class that will not only engage students but get them excited to participate. The goal is to provide a productive workout while also having fun and learning something new.

I hope you enjoyed reading about these single jump rope ideas and were inspired to try them out in your learning area! Please let me know which ones are your favorites in the comments section below.

*SHAPE America. (2013). National Standards for K-12 Physical Education. Reston, VA: Author.

Need resources?

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This comprehensive visual collection will help you teach your students a plethora of movement and manipulative skills using 20 traditional pieces of physical education equipment that include: most balloons, beanbags, stacking cups, pool noodles, juggling scarves, hula hoops, tumbling mats, long jump ropes, short jump ropes, scooter boards, cones & poly spots, dice, Lummi sticks. long-handled implements, short-handled implements, basketballs, beachballs, footballs, playground balls, and soccer balls.

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Using Cues in P.E.                                                Skipping Animated GIF    |   How to Use GIFs

Skipping is a rhythmical locomotor skill that involves transferring weight from one foot to another.  It is used in many playground games and is fundamental to good footwork used in a wide range of sporting activities such as basketball, rugby and dance.  The skill follows a pathway with a narrow base of support so it is important that arms are extended to maintain balance. 

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Things to consider

The skill of hopping is an important prerequisite for skipping.  The ability to apply force in an upwards direction through a hop is essential to allow the opposite free leg to come forward and continue the skipping action.  When learning how to skip the initial focus should be placed on the step-hop rhythm rather than developing speed, as this will aid the development of proficient technique.

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Why it matters

Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. For people with chronic diseases, physical activity can help manage these conditions and complications.

About one in two adults lives with a chronic disease. Of adults with chronic diseases, about half have two or more.

Only one in four U.S. adults fully meet the physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. Getting enough physical activity could prevent:

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Building active and walkable communities can help economically. It can also improve safety, result in the workforce taking fewer sick days, and promote social interactions.

Health care costs

$117 billion in annual health care costs are associated with inadequate physical activity.

Military readiness

Only 2 in 5 young adults are weight-eligible and physically prepared for basic training. "Long-term military readiness is at risk unless a large-scale change in physical activity and nutrition takes place in America," said Allen Peck, Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force (Retired).

What CDC is doing

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity partners with national groups, states, and communities to advance the following priorities:

Active People, Healthy Nation S M is a CDC initiative to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. To reach this goal, CDC works with states and communities to carry out evidence-based strategies to increase physical activity.

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) works with three state and local programs to increase access to places for physical activity for all people:

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We also fund the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN). The network works across sectors to advance the evidence base for physical activity policies. It also puts research into practice with a shared vision: active people in active communities, supported by equitable, sustainable policies and practices.

We encourage state and local organizations to use community design to connect pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation networks (called activity-friendly routes) to everyday destinations.

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CDC is assessing progress toward the Active People, Healthy Nation goal by measuring:

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