From the Guidelines
Children can typically begin to perform a broad jump around 2 to 3 years of age. This developmental milestone is supported by the understanding that physical activity, such as jumping, contributes to improved physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and bone health in children and adolescents, as outlined in the 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The ability to broad jump is part of the broader category of physical activities that are recommended for children and adolescents, with the guidelines suggesting at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week 1.
- While the specific age for performing a broad jump is not directly addressed in the provided evidence, the general recommendation for physical activity starting from a young age implies that children should be encouraged to engage in various forms of physical activity as they develop, including jumping, to improve their overall health and fitness.
- It's essential to note that the development of physical skills, such as those required for a broad jump, can vary significantly among children, and factors like muscle control, balance, and coordination play crucial roles in the ability to perform such activities.
- Parents and caregivers can support the development of these skills by providing safe and encouraging environments for physical activity, as suggested by good practice statements in the guidelines, which emphasize the importance of safe, equitable opportunities for physical activities that are enjoyable and appropriate for the child's age and ability 1.
Recommendations for Practice
- Encourage children to engage in physical activities, including jumping, from an early age to support their physical development and overall health.
- Provide opportunities for practice in safe environments, making activities fun and engaging to promote continued participation and development.
- Recognize that each child develops at their own pace, and some may achieve certain milestones, like performing a broad jump, later than others, which is a normal part of developmental variation.
From the Research
Age-Related Performance in Broad Jump
- Children as young as three years old can perform a broad jump, as indicated by a study published in 2.
- The study found that children aged three to eight years participated in a standing broad jump test, with significant correlations between Body Mass Index (BMI) and performance.
- Another study 3 found that children aged 5 to 9 years were able to perform jumping tasks, including jumping jacks and symmetrical stride jumps, with scores increasing with age.
Developmental Readiness for Broad Jump
- A study on temporal trends in standing broad jump performance 4 included data from children aged 9 to 17 years, but did not specify the exact age at which children can start performing a broad jump.
- However, the study 2 suggests that children can start performing a broad jump at a young age, with three to four-year-olds achieving better results in the standing broad jump test compared to those in the lowest BMI tertile.
Limitations and Related Studies
- Studies 5 and 6 do not provide direct evidence on the age at which children can perform a broad jump, as they focus on supervision of young children in bathtubs and pediatric falls, respectively.
- However, these studies do provide information on the physical abilities and developmental stages of young children, which may be relevant to understanding their readiness to perform a broad jump.