Effects of a Continuous Jumping Exercise Program on Rebound Jumping Ability, Agility and Dexterity in 3-year-old Children

This study aimed to examine the effects of an exercise program involving continuous jumping on rebound jumping (RJ) ability, agility, and dexterity in 3-year-old children. The following measurements were taken before (P1) and after (P2) the non-intervention period (4 weeks) followed by a measurement after the 4-week intervention (P3). The exercise program comprised a daily 10-minute routine in which participants performed laps around an obstacle or step, either by jumping with both feet or by jumping with one foot. Rebound jumps were measured as an index of RJ ability; side jumps, as an index of agility; and “jump over and crawl under”, as an index of dexterity. Children who were able to participate in all three periods were included in the analysis. Twenty-seven children (12 boys, 15 girls) participated in the RJ, 24 (11 boys, 13 girls) in the side jump, and 21 (9 boys, 12 girls) in the “jump over and crawl under.”