Analysis of Kinematics and Kinetics According to Skill Level and Sex in Double-under Jump Rope Technique

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a kinematic and kinetic analysis of double-under jump rope technique according to skill level and sex. Method: Participants comprised a skilled group of 16 (9 males, 7 females), and an unskilled group of 16 with 6 months or less of experience (9 males, 7 females). Five consecutive double-under successes were regarded as 1 trial, and all participants were asked to complete 3 successful trials. The data for these 3 trials were averaged and analyzed after collecting the stable third jump in each trial. The variables used in the analysis included phase duration, total duration, flight time, vertical toe height, stance width, vertical center of mass displacement, and right lower limb ankle, knee, and hip joint angles in the sagittal plane during all events. Results: The skilled group had a shorter phase and total duration and a shorter flight time than the unskilled group. The vertical center of mass displacement and ankle dorsiflexion angle were significantly smaller in the skilled group. The male group had a shorter phase duration than the female group. The vertical toe height was greater, the stance width was smaller, and the ankle and hip flexion angles were smaller in the male group. Conclusion: Variables that can be used to distinguish between skill levels are phase and total duration, flight time, vertical center of mass displacement, and ankle dorsiflexion angle. Differences between sexes in double-under jump rope technique may be related to lower limb flexion angle control.