We’ve not done a very good job educating the general public as to the many benefits of trampoline.
If you search the internet for “trampoline injury” … the results are depressing.
There are a lot of intelligent, well-meaning people VERY concerned about the favourite piece of equipment in our gyms.
Most concerned of all are Joseph S. Torg and Marianne Das.
The final sentence in their 1984 study concluded:
… both the trampoline and minitrampoline are dangerous devices when used in the best of circumstances, and their use has no place in recreational, educational, or competitive gymnastics.
Trampoline-Related Quadriplegia: Review of the Literature and Reflections on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Position Statement – source
That study is still widely cited.
But now it is 2007. Trampoline became an Olympic sport in 2000. Obesity is now a greater concern than minor injury.
By comparison, here’s the position paper of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
Trampolines and Trampoline Safety
The number and severity of injuries resulting from the use of trampolines is significant and increasing. Hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics treated 211,646 trampoline injuries sustained by children under age 19 in 2003. The estimated cost of medical, legal, insurance and disability costs and other expenses in 2001 was more than $4 billion.
Young children ages 5 to 10 are particularly at risk; 102,017 injuries related to trampolines for this group were treated in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics at a cost of more than $2 billion annually. The most common injuries are sprains and fractures, often severe, which usually result from a fall on the trampoline. Severe injuries are not common, but they do occur and can result in paralysis or, rarely, death. Use of the trampoline by more than one child further increases the risk of injury through collisions among jumpers or the catapulting of jumpers off the trampoline.
In an effort to reduce the number and severity of injuries resulting from the use of trampolines, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends routine observation of the following guidelines:
* Use of trampolines for physical education, competitive gymnastics, diving training and other similar activities requires careful adult supervision and proper safety measures.
* Trampolines should not be used for unsupervised recreational activity.
* Competent adult supervision and instruction is needed for children at all times.
* Only one participant should use a trampoline at any time.
* Spotters should be present when participants are jumping. Somersaults or high-risk maneuvers should be avoided without proper supervision and instruction; these maneuvers should be done only with proper use of protective equipment, such as a harness.
* The trampoline-jumping surface should be placed at ground level.
* The supporting bars, strings and surrounding landing surfaces should have adequate protective padding.
* Equipment should be checked regularly for safety conditions.
* Safety net enclosures may give a false sense of security – most injuries occur on the trampoline surface.
* Trampolines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
* Make sure trampoline ladders are removed after use to prevent unsupervised access by young children.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – source
Personally I would go further.
I would ban backyard trampolines. And intensely promote trampoline training in accredited gyms with trained, certified coaches.
Trampoline devices in my gym are as safe as any other piece of equipment.
And until backyard trampolines are made illegal, I reluctantly recommend the safest tramp on the market: The “Springfree”.
In Australia I met a professional wrestler who trained on backyard trampoline. (He is a certified coach.) One day he was bouncing as high as he could when … the trampoline bed fabric ripped on impact and he went straight through to the ground.
The fabric had been weakened by sun and water.
Yes, he was badly injured.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 