Spotlight on Health and Exercise Science

Metabolic Cost of Fitness Rope Training in Children

During the Spring 2016 semester, Professor Avery Faigenbaum and HES students investigated the metabolic cost of fitness rope training in children between 7 and 12 years of age. A group of young subjects completed a treadmill test to determine their VO2 max and then performed a series of 5 fitness rope exercises. The results from this study will add to our understanding of the metabolic cost of fitness rope training in children. In addition, these findings will be used to develop fitness programs that are purposely designed to enhance muscle strength and fundamental movement skills in school-age youth. Since sedentary behaviors tend to carry over from childhood to adulthood, it is important to intervene early in life and provide children with an opportunity to participate in a variety of skill-building activities that are worthwhile and enjoyable.