Generations of kids have grown up bouncing on backyard trampolines. And with the new popularity of trampoline parks, even more are getting into the game.
But is this a safe way for kids to move their bodies and have fun? There is a lot to consider before letting your kid head out to bounce with the neighborhood kids or attend a birthday party at a trampoline park.
Why are pediatricians concerned about trampolines?
More than 800,000 children got hurt on trampolines between 2009 and 2018, research shows. While bumps and bruises are super-common injuries from trampolines, we often see kids suffer broken bones or sprains as a result of falls on the mat or off the trampoline.
It is easy to assume that these injuries are not a big deal. After all, most sprains or broken bones heal, right? But trampolines pose incredibly high risks for serious injuries.
Examples of serious trampoline injuries include breaks to bones or injuries to ligaments that require surgery, paralysis, and even life-threatening injuries. And even broken bones can leave kids with lasting effects including the potential for nerve damage.
These facts explain why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping kids away from trampolines, except in settings with professional coaches and specialized equipment.
Many kids who get hurt on trampolines only suffer small scrapes, bruises, or cuts. But of the 110,000 or so emergency room visits linked with trampoline accidents in the U.S. each year, thousands involve serious damage to a child's arms, legs, collarbone, back, or neck.
Concussions are another common injury from collisions on trampolines. These are brain injuries that can cause kids to suffer headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms. Concussions can also affect their sleep, thinking, and school performance.
Kids typically get injured on trampolines when they:
What about supervised gym and school programs with trampolines?
Every athletic activity carries some risk of injury, and trampoline programs are no exception. However, jumping under the supervision of a trained coach or instructor is very different from bouncing in the backyard or visiting a trampoline park.
Athletic staff generally work within safety rules and inspect equipment often. They may use a special harness to help kids learn specific moves (or simply protect their growing bodies). For these reasons, you may feel more comfortable allowing your child to try out a gymnastics, dance, or other program that includes trampoline work.
by Susannah M. Briskin, MD, FAAP, American Academy of Pediatrics (TNS)
About Dr. Briskin
Susannah M. Briskin, MD, FAAP, is a member of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine & Fitness and Section on Orthopaedics. She is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Sports Medicine at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
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