Study discourages trampoline use among kids

6:44 AM, Sep 25, 2012   |    comments
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EAGAN, Minn. - A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging pediatricians to discourage parents of young children from using a trampoline at home.

The report states that, although trampoline purchases are down, injuries remain high. In 2009, there were 98,000 people hurt from trampolines. The study showed that young children are at the greatest risk for significant injury, including fractures of the legs and spine.

Studies have shown that kids under the age of six accounted for 22 to 37 percent of all those turning up in the emergency room. The most common injury was sprained ankles.

"Even one person unsupervised is not a good idea," said Larry Gleason, an elite gymnastics and trampoline coach at Gleason's Gym in Eagan. "You have to know what you're doing."

Despite being passionate about the positives of exercise on trampolines, Gleason wouldn't recommend parents purchasing them for their home.

"Most of your injuries happen from people falling on the mat of the trampoline, not just falling off it completely," says Gleason. "Even if it's at ground level it's still very dangerous to do."

The report states that 75 percent of injuries occur when there are multiple people on the mat, while 39 percent of the injuries reported among kids came from them falling off.

Gleason says make sure there is adult supervision and only one person on the trampoline each time.

"You wouldn't put a swimming pool in your backyard without giving your children swimming lessons," he adds. 

To read the full report, go to pediatrics.aappublications.org.

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