Other than to get your heart rate up and thus provide the same benefits as any aerobic exercise, they don't do much of anything.
The jumping jack is an old and 'contrived' calisthenic exercise that used to be used for warming up. Although it may help loosen up the hips and shoulders, at least in the frontal plane (side to side movement) it is also an exercise that tends to interfere with coordination. Also it has a very small range of motion. Although it is a fairly efficient way to get the heart pumping, as an exercise it has no special efficacy or direct benefit.
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