Trampolining is a low-impact workout that can help to relieve stress and anxiety, tone muscles and improve coordination. As well as being an Olympic sport, gymnasts and divers regularly use trampolines as part of their training program, but it isn’t a sport exclusive to elite athletes. With more families having trampolines in their backyards than ever before, it’s easy for everyone to feel the benefits of a regular workout on a trampoline.
Research
A study of the benefits of trampoline exercise by NASA found that 10 minutes bouncing on a trampoline is a more efficient cardiovascular workout than 33 minutes of running. The report states that “for similar levels of heart rate and oxygen consumption, the magnitude of the biomechanical stimuli is greater with jumping on a trampoline than with running.” Through using trampolines in training for more than 20 years, NASA also discovered that when astronauts returned from space, trampolining was extremely helpful in rebuilding the bone mass and muscle mass they had lost while travelling.
General Health
It is important to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle to reduce your chance of becoming overweight or obese. Trampolining increases your body’s metabolic rate and burns calories while bouncing. Regular exercise also improves your body’s immune system, which helps to keep your body’s natural defenses high and reduces the chance of getting sick. In addition, bouncing on a trampoline stimulates the flow around your lymphatic system, a non-circulatory system which helps get rid of toxins and waste from the body.
Low Impact
Although trampolining provides an intense workout for the muscles and cardiovascular system, it is a low-impact form of exercise. The trampoline mat absorbs 80 per cent of the shock from the rebound, making it easier on the joints and bones than aerobics or jogging. The reduced risk of injury to the joints, especially in the knees and ankles, makes trampoline exercise beneficial for people undergoing rehabilitation from injury or those who are less mobile.
Muscle Tone
While bouncing on a trampoline, your core-stability muscles constantly engage in order to keep you stable and balanced. Regular bouncing can result in a tauter, stronger stomach and lower back. John Beer, British Olympic trampolining coach, agrees with NASA research that using a trampoline helps to improve whole body strength. An increase in muscle tone and a reduction in body fat percentage can help to improve posture and muscle health.
Stress Relief
Exercise on a trampoline releases endorphins from the brain, which help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Bouncing on a trampoline increases the flow of oxygen around the body, giving you more energy. Regular use can help to promote better sleep patterns and increase mental sharpness by keeping you alert during the day. As trampolining is enjoyable, it also puts a smile on your face and improves your mood.
Safety
Although trampolining is fun and easy to do, there are reports suggesting that it is dangerous without the correct supervision. The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons says there are nearly 300,000 trampolining related injuries every year in the United States. To avoid injury, you should always use spotters, place your trampoline in a sutible place and use a safety enclosure. The American Academy of Paediatrics also highlights the importance of safety in its guidelines, stating that the “user of the trampoline should not attempt maneuvers beyond capability or training, thereby putting them at risk for injury.” Somersaults and advanced aerial trampolining skills should be avoided unless you are participating in a supervised class with a qualified coach present, as landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.
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