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At its core, a trampoline is a fairly simple piece of equipment. Using just a few components — mostly fabric, a metal frame, and some springs — a trampoline is capable of producing a tremendous amount of spring. So much so, that when someone jumps up and down on one, they can find themselves propelled surprisingly high into the air. Naturally, this can end up being a whole lot of fun. But as with any activity that involves defying gravity, it can also be quite dangerous.
According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, more than 100,000 trampoline injuries are treated in the US every year. Of those, about 85% occur in children, underscoring just how hazardous these apparatuses can be for young people. Most of the injuries that are sustained involve broken bones, although head and abdominal trauma are frequent occurrences too. Naturally, this has created quite a bit of controversy surrounding the use and ownership of trampolines.
"The most common serious trampoline injuries are fractures of the ankle and lower leg, head injuries such as skull fractures and concussions and serious knee injuries such as ACL ruptures," Dr. Amir El Shami tells Business Insider. He specializes in physical medicine, as well as rehabilitation and sports medicine, at the University of Illinois and has seen a number of trampoline-related injuries over the years. He also tells us that ankle and wrist sprains, along with contusions, occur quite frequently.
New Jersey-based podiatrist Dr. Velimir Petkov confirms that ankle sprains are among the most common trampoline mishaps, although he's treated plenty of others, too. Petkov tells us "Some of the more serious injuries include tears and fractures." Those types of injuries usually require surgery and recovery can be slow and painful. "Most fractures take at least 6-8 weeks to heal," he says.
Unsurprisingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families refrain from buying a trampoline for use at home. Similarly, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has been warning parents about dangers that trampolines pose for years. Both organizations stress that while trampolines can cause serious injury to anyone, they are especially dangerous to children. Those dangers are heightened further when kids are left unsupervised while playing on the equipment.
Trampoline sales still rise in spite of risksDespite these recommendations, trampoline sales have held strong in recent years and are even expected to rise in the near future. Many families see the trampoline as a fun way to stay physically fit and remain active, while at the same time providing a physical activity the entire family can enjoy together. As a result, more and more trampolines are finding their way into backyards, which is why there's been a steady increase in the number of trampoline-related injuries in recent years.
Neither of the doctors we spoke with could endorse buying a trampoline either, although they did say that if you're considering such a purchase, get one with protective netting around the outside. This helps keep both kids and adults from bouncing off the trampoline and landing awkwardly on the ground. Those nets won't make a trampoline completely safe, but they do add an extra layer of security that could make all the difference.
"The netting helps prevent some of the more serious injuries because it does decrease the chances of actually falling off the trampoline while jumping," Dr. El Shami says. "But some people argue that the netting causes complacency or gives a false sense of security."
Dr. Petkov agrees that using a trampoline with netting can help, but still cautions that they can be dangerous.
"While the netting will help prevent falls outside of the trampoline, you can still get injured inside of it," he tells us. "The most common cause of ankle sprains is having your ankle roll down and inward."
That occurs most frequently on the surface of the trampoline itself and not when falling off the side.
How do you stay safe on a trampoline?Despite the fact neither El Shami or Petkov recommend using a trampoline, both recognize they're a lot of fun and are a popular way to keep kids active. This prompted both doctors to provide a few tips and suggestions when it came to safely using the equipment.
"There should only be one person at a time using the trampoline, regardless of whether this person is a child or an adult, " Petkov says. "Collisions are the main contributing factor to injuries."
He also recommends that we maintain a realistic outlook on our skills and abilities too. "Avoid trying to do tricks, flips, and jumps that you can't handle," he advises.
El Shami agrees with those sentiments, confirming that most adult injuries are due to overconfidence, which leads to trying dangerous stunts that many people simply aren't skilled enough to pull off successfully. He also reminds trampoline owners to conduct proper maintenance on a regular basis. This is something few owners actually do, although it can help prevent injuries that come about due to mechanical failures over time.
One of the simplest ways to improve safety on a trampoline, El Shami tells us, is to always remember to close the zipper on the netting whenever someone gets on or off the jumping surface. Because they're in a rush, many people skip this important step, which could prevent serious injury.
"Don't get complacent with the netting," El Shami says. "I saw a 9-year-old boy that was injured falling out of a trampoline because it wasn't closed, resulting in a broken arm."
What are the safest trampolines?If dire warnings from medical professionals still aren't enough to dissuade you from buying a trampoline, both El Shami and Petkov do have further advice to offer. In addition to purchasing a model that comes with safety nets, both doctors recommend avoiding low-budget options that cut costs by using inferior parts and materials. Small, inexpensive models that lack adequate padding and protection further enhance the possibilities of suffering a serious injury, which is why El Shami advises buying one that also includes padded poles, springs, and landing surfaces.
The two doctors stress that constant supervision of younger children, in particular, can go a long way toward avoiding bumps, bruises, and broken bones. When kids are allowed to use a trampoline unsupervised, it's more likely that more than one person will be on the jumping surface at the same time, which can result in multiple injuries due to collisions. Children are also more likely to take higher risks and pay less attention to what is happening around them while jumping with friends, which could lead to injury.
Dr. Petkov is quick to remind us that there are alternatives to buying a trampoline for use at home.
"Overall, I am not a big fan of trampolines. There are far better and safer physical activities one can engage in to promote motor learning or active play," he tells us. "But I can also agree that trampolines have the potential to be fun in a regulated environment such as a trampoline park."
Here are a few recommendations for trampolines with safety featuresOf course, people do continue to buy trampolines in spite of the risks. Some manufacturers go to great lengths to try to ensure that their products are as safe as possible, so if you insist on buying one, there are a few options that are better than others.
These trampolines include safety nets and additional padding, plus they offer unique shapes and sizes to help mitigate potential injuries. In fact, there are a few companies that are lauded for their safety records, creating trampolines that minimize risks, while maximizing fun.
If you're considering buying a trampoline, and safety is a serious concern, these are the models you should have on your shortlist.
It's important to note, however, that both the doctors we spoke with strongly recommend that you do not buy a trampoline due to the high risk of injury.
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