Recommendations

Conclusion

In this study, the central research questions focused on Black Girls Jump participant motivations and the group’s impact on health and wellness perceptions and behaviors.

Research indicates the organization’s cultural targeting effectively reaches populations of urban African American women and provides an empowering community health program.  Jump rope games excite nostalgia in participants and offer a forum to express a cultural practice. Multigenerational engagement also plays a key role in participant motivation. Participants attended meetup groups to teach their daughters the double dutch jump rope game and engage in a family-friendly activity. Some participants saw teaching jump rope to children as a community service.

Black Girls Jump Meetup Group at Park 2, 2017

Although participants enjoyed the informal and open double dutch jump rope meetups and valued socializing, participants did not report significant changes in their fitness levels and health.

Spontaneous recruiting in public parks engaged new participants of various ages, but participant contact information was not retained. Minimal information about health and fitness was exchanged.

As BGJ meetup groups offer social support, participant fitness and health levels could have perhaps been enhanced with more structured fitness activity .  With varying level of skill in double dutch jump rope, the group could separate participants by skill and  fitness ability. The organization could also encourage consistent attendance, offer more frequent events and provide dietary support to participants.

The study was limited by the small sample size and short observation period. Additionally, my role as a participant in jump rope games limited my ability to record field notes. A double dutch jump rope lover, I may also be bias.  Future research could cover a longer period of time. The scope of the study could also be broadened to include double dutch jump rope culture and African American culture.

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