I am discombobulated about the rise of the now ubiquitous garden trampoline. When did this springing mania take over in the lives of our young people?
Once upon a time, most family gardens would contain maybe a little plastic slide or a rusty metal play frame. Nowadays, there are children seen bobbing up and down above the garden fences up and down the country.
This jumping craze has also spilled over into industrial estates throughout the UK, with indoor trampolining centres appearing rapidly in warehouses everywhere.
Exercise is of course great for young people – especially in the days of increasingly computer usage – but it strikes me that this trampolining fad should be treated with a certain degree of awareness.
Trampolining is potentially a very dangerous activity for young people if not done correctly. The round garden trampolines, for example, should be used with netting around the edges to prevent falls. They should also be used on a strict one-at-a-time rule – something many families are probably unaware of or certainly not vigilant in enforcing. Doctors report multiple cases of broken limbs where smaller children have been jumped on or bounced awkwardly.
Medical experts also warn of the potential dangers as children’s spines are not developed – meaning the compression act of jumping up and down can cause various problems.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says: “Garden trampolines provide a relatively inexpensive source of enjoyment as well as aerobic activity for thousands of young children.
“The downside is that hospital emergency departments (A&E) are now having to deal with significant numbers of trampolining injuries.
It adds that: “60% of injuries occur when more than one person is on the trampoline.”
I am going to show my age now, but as someone who doesn’t trust their body on a trampoline any longer, I won’t be partaking in this new passion – although it does look fantastic fun. Just jump safely out there all you young people!
http://www.rospa.com/leisure-safety/advice/trampoline/