We always talk about walking, jogging or running to stay in shape and tone our bodies, but what about jumping? Even just jumping 10 times a day can help strengthen your legs and ankles and help your bones stay healthy. Jumping rope is a more effective way to lose weight, build endurance, and stay fit than both running and jogging. What else don’t we know about jumping?
- Increases bone density: Jumping not only keeps your bones healthy, it can actually increase bone density. Try jumping as high as you can without shoes on an even surface. Wait about 20 seconds between each jump and repeat 10 times. It doesn’t sound like much, but doing this twice a day will help ensure that your bones stay strong as you age.
- Improves posture, coordination, balance: Jumping rope can help straighten out your crooked posture which in turn will help eliminate any back, neck, or ankle pain that is related to having bad posture. Good coordination and balance can also help prevent injuries and give you a faster reaction time for when you are about to be injured thus lowering the severity of the injury itself.
- Prevents diabetes (along with many other diseases): Jumping is a form of cardio exercise. 10 minutes of jumping a day can help lower your body fat level, tone your body, keep your blood pressure normal and steady, and stimulate your metabolism. It will also lower your cholesterol level and help eliminate toxins from your body. 10 minutes of jumping a day can also prevent obesity or help you lose weight.
- Relaxation: After jumping or jumping rope a lot, your body releases serotonin allowing you to mentally relax. When you go to bed, your sleep will be deeper and you will wake up feeling more refreshed. Your digestion will also be more regulated so your body will also be less stressed from processing all the food that you eat.
- Lowers your risk of colds/allergies: Jumping a lot will strengthen your immune system which will help keep the germs at bay. Just make sure that when you’re jumping you are landing lightly and not slamming your feet on the ground (this will be more harmful than helpful, especially to your knees and ankles.)
Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center has been treating patients for over seventeen years. If you have any questions, call our Centreville, VA office at 703-996-3000 or make an appointment here.