Jumping on a trampoline comes with a host of benefits, but you're paying for those benefits by expending a huge amount of energy. Trampoline jumping, or rebounding, uses more energy than other exercises like running, but it might be worth it. Rebounding can improve muscle performance, response time and strength while it increases your posture, balance and flexibility.
Plyometrics
Plyometrics is a type of movement that uses a great amount of force in a short amount of time, which is exactly what happens to your body on a trampoline. When you land on a trampoline, your muscles are forced to flex, or shorten, which puts them under tension. The tension translates to stored-up energy that your muscles then release in an explosive blast as they contract, or lengthen, as you fly back into the air. Repeated rebounding thus repeatedly puts your muscles through a high-tension sequence of flexing and contracting, a series that takes a lot of energy and produces a huge amount of power.
Gravity
Gravity is also at work on a trampoline. It's working against you with every jump you take. Unlike an exercise like running, where you generally move forward on a level surface, a trampoline hurls you into the air against the natural force of gravity. Gravity slows your ascension but speeds up your descent, making you bounce on the trampoline's surface so your muscles can flex, contract and thrust you back against gravity once again. That's a lot of work.
Physics
Physics, which denotes gravitational force as G force, can help explain why the trampoline takes so much energy. A 1-G force is equivalent to your weight. When you're jumping, ShapeFit explains, you are pushing off with at least 2 g's of force. That means the forces acting on your body when you land after a jump are at least double your weight. If you weigh 150 lbs., for example, you are landing with at least 300 lbs. of pressure pushing down on your body, mainly on your knees, hips and ankle joints.
Considerations
The massive amounts of force and energy can easily lead to injury, especially if you rebound too frequently or with improper techniques. Landing properly is the key to avoid many of those injuries. Keep your joints soft, rather than stiff, when you come back down, letting your legs work to absorb the shock. Effective landings are quiet, ShapeFit notes, and let the energy flow smoothly up your legs. Your body has a natural ability to absorb shock; use it to your advantage.
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