Pediatricians warn against trampoline use at home, citing injury risks
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(CBS News) The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is discouraging the recreational use of trampolines, saying the activity poses a major injury risk for kids and there's no clear way to reduce chances of getting hurt.
The modern trampoline was patented by competitive gymnast George Nissen in 1945, designed for acrobats, gymnasts and eventually used by the military for training, according to the AAP. But at-home recreational trampoline use has increased in recent decades as the products have become more affordable.
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Despite statements from numerous medical groups that discourage trampoline use and warnings to exercise caution on trampolines at home or on the playground, the AAP says trampoline use and injuries remain a big problem.
The new guidance is published in the Sept 24 issue of the academy's journal, Pediatrics.
In 2009, the last year of available data, trampoline injury rates were 70 injuries per 100,000 children ages 0- to 4-years-old and 160 injuries per 100,000 5- to 14-year-olds, for a total of 98,000 injuries that year. Kids in the older age group were more likely to use a bicycle or other unsafe equipment on the trampoline. Between three percent and 14 percent of the injuries require hospitalization.
"Unfortunately, the very forces that make trampoline use fun for many children also lead to unique injury mechanisms and patterns of injury," the statement's authors write.
Three-quarters of all trampoline injuries occur when several kids are bouncing at the same time, with the smallest kids 14 times more likely to get injured than their heavier counterparts, due to the added force the bigger kids create by jumping that gets absorbed by the smaller kids.
Falls account for up to 40 percent of trampoline injuries, with risk increased when the trampoline is placed on uneven ground, In recent years, companies have sold netting and other perimeter enclosures for trampolines, but researchers from the AAP said there is no evidence the safety features reduce injury risk. Some of the kids even opted to climb the netting, further risking injury.
Injuries include fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, bruises and other soft-tissue injuries, with young children under 6 the group most likely to get hurt. Bone injuries are also more likely in younger kids. Ankle injuries, head and neck injuries (which in rare cases resulted in permanent neurological damage), spinal injuries, shin fractures, chest fractures and other serious injuries have been reported in studies the AAP reviewed.
Failed attempts at somersaults and flips while on a trampoline may especially result in cervical spine injuries, some with permanent consequences.
Despite adult supervision, multiple studies show that up to one-half of trampoline inuries occur when an adult is nearby.
The injury rates are similar to those of home swimming pools, say the AAP. But with swimming pools, there are evidence-based safety measures for reducing risk such as four-sided fencing that surrounds the pool, but for trampolines there's no evidence-baked safety measures. What's more, many parents - if they're supervising - don't even know basic safety tips like limiting trampoline use to one child at a time.
The AAP recommends avoiding recreational trampoline use entirely. If a child or teen still wants a trampoline in their lives, the academy says using a structured sports training program with appropriate supervision, coaching and safety measures already in place. If a family still wants a trampoline at home, check with your insurance provider to make sure it covers trampoline-related injury claims.
Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who wasn't involved in the new policy statement, told CBSNews.com in an email, "Although parents may see the trampoline as a fun and engaging way to have their children exercise, the potential for serious and catastrophic injury should make them think twice about this dangerous activity."
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1) Trampolines are an amazing source of balance and leg-strength for a country that is getting fatter and less athletic. They do not properly exercise in school, as to avoid offending the fat kids. People get hurt on many recreational devices, especially when not used properly, they even said so themselves that over 75% of the injuries are when multiple people are on the tramp. That's like instead of recommending a car-seat for kids, they say to avoid driving.
2) It is strange that a doctor would release something with the appearance of trying to help. They don't want to help, they want to get PAID! Doctors are a huge part of the problem in the medical industry, so any thing I read from a doctor, I simply file it into this category, RUN AWAY AND DO THE OPPOSITE!
3) As long as doctors are passing out narcotics like they are candy, they have zero place in my mind for deciding what is safe. How many people die or go to rehab because of "legal" drugs that the doctors give out? I bet the negative impact of prescription narcotic painkillers out ways the trampoline.
If you do have kids, and this is what you have to say, then you must be one of the INCOMPETENT ones I was talking about.
There seems to be a lot of them in America.
Permission slip from their parents? are you being serious? I need to let you in a little secret -you're kids are weenies, and aren't going to stand much of a chance in middle/high school if you're the one teaching them about life.
I had RULES for the trampoline. One person at a time and no one was to go on it unless I was there. I didn't allow flips until after they took classes on it. None of their friends got on it unless I had a written permission slip from their parents. I actually made up slips saying that I wouldn't be responsible if their child were to get injured. Of course that probably would not have held up in a court of law. I only had to ban one child from using it. She was just WAAAAAAY out of control. I was afraid she was going to kill herself.
I also had a FENCE around my yard to keep people out when I wasn't home.
Trampolines are very dangerous. One wrong jump and it could be disaster. You are supposed to have spotters around the outside when a person is jumping on it.
erasmus111, love your parenting, but a permission slip ?
See my reply to the dumb ass above.
And on the bacteria or virus crap, I have no idea what the hell you are talking about.