Trampoline exercise and safety
22 January 2008
Trampoline Exercise and Safety
Early 2008 has seen a flood of news stories relating to obesity. One of the most frightening reports is the projected growth in childhood obesity, with the Department of Health now predicting that by 2010 over one million children in the UK will be classified as obese.
A large number of UK state schools have embraced the healthy eating principles promoted by Jamie Oliver and many have continued the principles of healthy eating by introducing similar policies for packed lunches and school snacks. This is all good for combating obesity, but a big part of the armour in this fight is exercise.
It all sounds so simple that you could be forgiven for wondering why this problem has arisen in the first place. But if you then think of this in the wider context of being a parent, part of the problem becomes clear. At the same time as being told we must get our children to exercise more, we are also being told about the myriad of dangers our children face. From online grooming to simply strangers in the park, these fears and concerns inevitably prey on the minds of parents. Also, with two parents working, it can be incredibly difficult to fit in taking children to sports clubs and leisure centres on a regular basis.
An answer (and only part of the answer) is to turn your attention to forms of exercise that can be carried out at home. There is a growth in gym equipment designed for children and this may well be the exercise of choice for you and your children, but at srbWorld we have taken the view that exercise for kids should equal fun. When an activity is fun, it not only keeps children fit, it also stimulates their imaginations, develops coordination and in certain tasks: sharing and team work skills. These are all important building blocks in learning for life.
Trampolines can offer great fun and superb exercise. In fact, because the fun side of a trampoline is what attracts children, the exercise element passes almost unnoticed. The Department of Health now recommends that adults have at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and that children have 60 minutes. This does not need to be in one single stint and can be made up of 10 – 15 minute slots. In research undertaken by Glasgow University in 2006, Professor Reilly concluded that in fact children probably needed longer than 60 minutes per day. Dr Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation went on to recommend:
“…that parents encourage toddlers and young children to eat a healthy diet and have lots of active play time – at least an hour a day for kids over five – as a vital investment for long-term heart health”.
At srbWorld we are proud to promote healthy and active play, be this in terms of exercise, educational development or skills development; with these factors playing a key role in our sourcing and buying decisions. Trampolines, through fun, can equal good quality aerobic exercise, for younger and older children alike. They also have the added advantage of encouraging your children to be outside in the fresh air, and, for younger children, in the safety of your own garden.
You don’t need to be a member of a trampoline club to get the most out of your trampoline. It is, however, important that a trampoline is always used safely. A lot of this is common sense and most good sellers will promote these rules with their products, but it’s worth me highlighting them briefly below.
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position your trampoline on a flat soft or grassy surface. Avoid paved, gravel or decked areas;
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Allow a safety zone of not less than 2.5 metres around the entire trampoline that is free from obstructions. In particular, don’t overlook overhanging branches;
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unless absolutely necessary, do not use a ladder. These can allow younger children to climb onto a trampoline when you are not looking and potentially hurt themselves;
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younger children should be supervised when on the trampoline. Caution them against attempting somersaults and other tricks;
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most garden trampolines are only designed for one child at a time. Round trampolines, in particular, push the user to the centre and so if there is more than one person on the trampoline at a time, the risk of an accident is increased;
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safety nets are a good addition and do improve safety and give parents peace of mind. They are not, however, a total safety solution and are not a substitute for supervised play;
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Children should climb on and climb off the trampoline. Many children are tempted to launch themselves off the trampoline onto the grass, this clearly can result in injury and so should be cautioned against.
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Don’t allow children to crawl under the trampoline whilst it is being used. The same advice applies to family pets. Some sellers offer a trampoline skirt that has the effect of netting off the trampoline on the underside. We’ve found this particularly popular with families who have dogs;
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Carry out regular inspections of your garden trampoline. Check:
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The joints on the frame for signs of stress or failure
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The fabric for signs of ageing and fraying
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The springs for breakage or stress
Most good sellers will stock spare and replacement parts. At srbWorld, our Trampoline Customer Support Team would always be happy to help and advise.
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Trampolines are as attractive to adults as well as children and are particularly so after the odd glass of wine on a summer evening! Whilst great fun, they don’t mix well with alcohol and so you should really avoid them in these circumstances!
These are my top 10 safety tips for family and garden trampolines. Full safety guidelines are published on the srbWorld website at http://www.srbworld.com/. As an overriding safety tip, I would say make sure you choose the right trampoline. See my colleagues article “Choosing a Trampoline” for further help on this, again published on the website. See also the srbWorld Trampoline Guide.
Happy Jumping!