An Experimental Study of the Effect of Fancy Rope-Skipping on the Attention of Children

Introduction: Fancy rope-skipping is an emerging physical activity with numerous psychosocial benefits. However, its specific advantages for cognitive functions like attention, compared to traditional physical education, remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week fancy rope-skipping intervention on various domains of attention in fifth-grade students, compared to a standard physical education program. We hypothesized that the fancy rope-skipping intervention would yield significant improvements in one or more domains of attention (allocation, span, stability, and shifting). Methods: Two classes were randomly assigned as an experimental group (n = 28), which underwent a fancy rope-skipping program, and a control group (n = 31), which followed the regular syllabus. Attention was assessed using the Attention Quality Test before and after the intervention. Results: After controlling for pre-test scores, analysis of covariance revealed that the experimental group performed significantly better on the Graphic Discrimination Test, which measures attention allocation (F(1,46) = 9.184, p = 0.004). No significant between-group differences were found in attention span, stability, or shifting. Conclusions: Fancy rope-skipping can specifically improve the ability to allocate attention in primary school students, highlighting its potential as a targeted intervention within physical education.