Trampolines are a popular fixture in many backyards, offering recreation and exercise. Despite their widespread use, medical professionals categorize these devices as high-risk recreational equipment. The significant forces involved in bouncing, combined with uncontrolled landings, contribute to a high rate of accidents. Annually, over 100,000 trampoline-related injuries require emergency room visits in the United States, prompting organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to caution against their home use.
Common Trampoline Injuries
The majority of injuries sustained on trampolines are soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains, accounting for over 50% of reported incidents. Fractures are also common, representing approximately 35% of injuries, many requiring surgical intervention. The lower extremities (tibia, fibula, and ankle) are vulnerable to fractures from awkward landings. Upper extremity injuries, including breaks in the forearm and elbow, often occur when a jumper attempts to brace a fall. More than 90% of all trampoline injuries are sustained by children, primarily those between the ages of five and fourteen.
High-Risk Scenarios and Injury Mechanisms
One of the most dangerous scenarios involves multiple users jumping simultaneously, responsible for roughly 75% of all trampoline injuries. This activity creates the “double bounce” effect, where a heavier jumper’s impact forcefully propels a lighter jumper into the air. When there is a significant weight difference, the smaller individual is up to 14 times more likely to sustain an injury due to the uncontrolled trajectory.
Falling off the trampoline is another major injury mechanism, accounting for up to 39% of accidents. These falls often result in fractures when the jumper impacts the hard ground or surrounding objects, particularly without a safety enclosure. Injuries also occur on the jumping surface itself, with 13% to 20% of incidents resulting from contact with the metal frame or springs.
Attempting acrobatic maneuvers, such as somersaults or flips, poses a distinct and severe risk, especially for untrained individuals. These stunts increase the likelihood of improper landing, leading to hyperflexion or hyperextension of the cervical spine. The resulting compression forces on the head and neck are a direct cause of the most serious spinal cord injuries reported.
Essential Safety Guidelines for Use
To minimize inherent risks, strict adherence to established safety protocols is necessary for home trampoline use. The fundamental rule is to permit only one jumper on the mat at a time to eliminate the double-bounce effect and collision risk. Consistent adult supervision is mandatory whenever the trampoline is in use, and children under the age of six should not use full-size trampolines.
Equipment and Usage Rules
- Jumpers must never attempt somersaults, flips, or other complex stunts, which carry the highest potential for severe head and neck injury.
- All equipment should feature shock-absorbing padding that completely covers the springs, hooks, and metal frame.
- A safety enclosure net is required to mitigate the risk of falling off the jumping surface.
- Regular equipment inspection is necessary to check for tears in the mat or safety netting, weak or broken springs, and structural rust.
- The trampoline should be set up on level ground, away from surrounding structures, trees, and fences.
- Any access ladder should be removed when the trampoline is not actively supervised to prevent unauthorized use.