Prior research has already proven the dangers of recreational full-sized trampoline use, but now a new study from researchers at Columbus Children’s Research Institute on the campus of Columbus Children’s Hospital has proven that injury patterns associated with mini trampolines (identified as small, jogging or exercise trampolines) are similar to those found with full-sized trampolines. The findings were published in the July issue of Pediatrics.
The research found that 32 percent of mini trampoline injuries and 19 percent of full-sized trampoline injuries were to children younger than 6. Further, as compared to 6-17 year-olds, children under the age of 6 were more likely to be injured on a mini trampoline and these injuries were most likely to be a head laceration. Children 6-17 were more likely to suffer lower extremity strains or sprains—whether on a mini or full-sized trampoline. More girls than boys were injured on a trampoline (63 percent on mini trampolines, 51 percent on full-sized trampolines). An injury on a full-sized trampoline was more likely to result in hospitalization than an injury associated with a mini trampoline.
“The majority of trampoline falls that result in injury are falls on the trampoline, not off,” said Brenda Shields, research coordinator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at CCRI and lead author of the study. “Further, our research showed that 87 percent of mini trampoline and 89 percent of full-sized trampoline injuries occurred at home. Based on our findings, we concur with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations that trampolines should be used as training devices, not toys.”
During the study, Shields analyzed data from 137 mini trampoline-related injuries and 143 full-sized trampoline related injuries randomly selected from all trampoline injuries reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 1990-2002. The data included patients ranging in age from 1-80 years old on mini trampolines and 2-52 on full-sized trampolines, though most patients were younger than 18 years old (82 percent on mini trampoline and 91 percent on full-sized trampoline).
Columbus Children’s ranks among the top 10 in National Institutes of Health research awards and grants to freestanding children’s hospitals in the country and houses the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. With nearly 600,000 patient visits each year, Children’s Hospital is a 112-year-old pediatric healthcare network treating newborns through age 21. In 2004, the Columbus Children’s Research Institute conducted more than 300 research projects and is the home of Centers of Emphasis encompassing gene therapy; molecular and human genetics; vaccines and immunity; childhood cancer; cell and vascular biology; developmental pharmacology and toxicology; injury research and policy; microbial pathogenesis; cardiovascular medicine; and biobehavioral health. Pediatric Clinical Trials International (PCTI), a site management organization affiliated with the hospital, also coordinated more than 50 clinical trials. In addition to having one of the largest ambulatory programs in the country, Children’s offers specialty programs and services. More than 75,000 consumers receive health and wellness education each year and affiliation agreements with nearly 100 institutions allow more than 1,700 students and 500 residents to receive training at Children’s annually. More information on Children’s Hospital of Columbus is available by calling (614) 722-KIDS (5437).
The research found that 32 percent of mini trampoline injuries and 19 percent of full-sized trampoline injuries were to children younger than 6. Further, as compared to 6-17 year-olds, children under the age of 6 were more likely to be injured on a mini trampoline and these injuries were most likely to be a head laceration. Children 6-17 were more likely to suffer lower extremity strains or sprains—whether on a mini or full-sized trampoline. More girls than boys were injured on a trampoline (63 percent on mini trampolines, 51 percent on full-sized trampolines). An injury on a full-sized trampoline was more likely to result in hospitalization than an injury associated with a mini trampoline.
“The majority of trampoline falls that result in injury are falls on the trampoline, not off,” said Brenda Shields, research coordinator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at CCRI and lead author of the study. “Further, our research showed that 87 percent of mini trampoline and 89 percent of full-sized trampoline injuries occurred at home. Based on our findings, we concur with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations that trampolines should be used as training devices, not toys.”
During the study, Shields analyzed data from 137 mini trampoline-related injuries and 143 full-sized trampoline related injuries randomly selected from all trampoline injuries reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 1990-2002. The data included patients ranging in age from 1-80 years old on mini trampolines and 2-52 on full-sized trampolines, though most patients were younger than 18 years old (82 percent on mini trampoline and 91 percent on full-sized trampoline).
Columbus Children’s ranks among the top 10 in National Institutes of Health research awards and grants to freestanding children’s hospitals in the country and houses the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. With nearly 600,000 patient visits each year, Children’s Hospital is a 112-year-old pediatric healthcare network treating newborns through age 21. In 2004, the Columbus Children’s Research Institute conducted more than 300 research projects and is the home of Centers of Emphasis encompassing gene therapy; molecular and human genetics; vaccines and immunity; childhood cancer; cell and vascular biology; developmental pharmacology and toxicology; injury research and policy; microbial pathogenesis; cardiovascular medicine; and biobehavioral health. Pediatric Clinical Trials International (PCTI), a site management organization affiliated with the hospital, also coordinated more than 50 clinical trials. In addition to having one of the largest ambulatory programs in the country, Children’s offers specialty programs and services. More than 75,000 consumers receive health and wellness education each year and affiliation agreements with nearly 100 institutions allow more than 1,700 students and 500 residents to receive training at Children’s annually. More information on Children’s Hospital of Columbus is available by calling (614) 722-KIDS (5437).