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The trend of children jumping on trampolines is steadily increasing, but it also comes with a high risk of injury. Thanks to a contribution from a physiotherapist, I have also intensively dealt with the topic. In this article, we will look at why jumping on trampolines carries such a high risk of injury.

Safety Tips for Children Jumping on Trampolines

Children find great joy in jumping on trampolines—after all, it's fun! However, this activity also carries certain risks. To prevent injuries, parents should consider several important factors. One particularly effective tip is to avoid buying a trampoline altogether.

A look at the statistics shows that the injury rate for jumping on trampolines is alarmingly high. Especially when multiple children jump together, the risk of injury increases. Therefore, parents should only let one child jump on the trampoline at a time. Using a safety net is also important to avoid falls from the trampoline. However, parents should make sure that the safety net is securely closed and regularly checked for defects.

Most injuries while trampolining occur on the jumping surface itself. Children often cannot control the resulting acceleration forces and land roughly on the trampoline. Especially with younger children, fractures can occur at the growth plate, which can cause permanent damage. Therefore, parents should always keep an eye on their children and immediately consult a doctor at the first signs of pain or discomfort.

The most dangerous situation is when two or more children jump on the trampoline together. When a heavier child jumps high and the bouncing mat snaps back up, the lighter child lands. There is a violent impact with a force that corresponds to several times the body weight. Complicated bone fractures are not uncommon as a result. It looks even worse when adults jump together with children: if an 80kg heavy adult jumps with a 25kg heavy child, the same forces act as if this child falls from a height of 2.80m onto a hard surface.

Parents should be aware that there are certain risks and minimize them through appropriate measures. If you are unsure whether jumping on trampolines is suitable for your child, it is recommended to consult a physiotherapist or pediatrician. Alternatively, you can inquire at the accident and emergency department how many injuries are treated in children who are jumping on trampolines.

Adults Should Also Be Cautious

Adults should also be cautious when deciding whether to jump on trampolines. As already mentioned, the forces generated when landing on the trampoline can be very high and can lead to serious injuries if used improperly. Therefore, even adults, especially people with health restrictions or older people, should avoid jumping on trampolines or only do it under the supervision of an experienced trainer.

There is also a considerable number of professional trampoline jumpers who suffer from physical complaints due to the constant strain on their joints and muscles. Injuries to joints, spine, and muscles can occur through the intensive use of the trampoline and the execution of acrobatic exercises. These are often overuse injuries that can be caused by repeated jumps or landings from great heights. Additionally, many professional trampoline jumpers suffer from incontinence and other urological problems due to the high pressure on their pelvic floor. Especially women are affected because the pelvic floor is heavily stressed by the shocks when jumping. For this reason, it is also important for professional athletes to take appropriate protective measures and pay attention to correct execution of the exercises to avoid injuries.

Closing Words

In summary, it can be said that although it is not always possible to fully control a child's environment, it is still advisable to take every opportunity to minimize the risk of injury from trampoline jumping. The statistics speak a clear language and show that caution is better than regret.