Trampolines represent a way to encourage kids to exercise. With proper safeguards in place, kids can gain athletic skills like flexibility, stamina and balance using a trampoline. Trampolines are especially good for kids who are reluctant to exercise on their own, since they will only think it is a game.
Considerations
Trampoline jumping provides kids with a calorie-burning level of exercise comparable to high-impact activities like running or jumping rope. However, unlike these activities, a trampoline lessens the physical impact on the body, allowing for fewer injuries. This is especially important for kids with physical limitations or who have not participated in many sports in the past.
Types
While any type of trampoline jumping is beneficial, there are some specific exercises your kids can do. For a cross-country skiing exercise, the child can jump back and forth on the trampoline with feet together and toes pointing forward. Kids can also do a modified type of jogging on the trampoline, using the bounce to bring their knees up as high as possible. To bring in arm movement, try jumping jacks on the trampoline. With the trampoline bounce, kids can jump high each time.
Features
To ensure safe trampoline exercise for kids, you need to follow certain safety rules, as recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can install a safety net around the outer rim of the trampoline to help avoid children falling from the trampoline during exercise. Cover the springs and other hard parts of the trampoline with padding. Make sure the trampoline is on flat ground and not too close to dangerous structures. Minimize the number of kids on the trampoline at one time, preferably only one at a time.
Benefits
Trampoline jumping is an aerobic exercise that helps kids build strong cardiac muscle, which will benefit them throughout life. For children with respiratory problems, like asthma, aerobic exercises are especially helpful in enhancing lung effectiveness. The regular exercise from trampoline jumping can also combat the problem of childhood obesity.
Warning
Trampolines can be extremely dangerous for kids, especially when used improperly. Injuries like sprains and fractures are common for anyone if they fall off the trampoline when jumping. Kids can also seriously injure their heads and necks in such falls. You can avoid many of these injuries by using safety features, by advising your kids about the proper way to behave on the trampoline and by supervising the kids' play.
Expert Insight
While trampolines are good for exercise and for athletic training, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children's use of the equipment should be limited. The AAP does not recommend trampolines at home or in playgrounds, but the organization does say they are excellent when supervised and used as part of sports training programs, such as for gymnastics or diving.
Member Comments