Trampoline park popularity and related injuries have increased in the last few years.
In recent years, trampoline parks have become increasingly more popular thanks to the fact that they offer a simple and accessible way of having fun while exercising. A new study shows that these parks aren’t as safe as many people think, because you can risk a more serious injury than by using your home trampoline.
The study, published this Monday in the journal Pediatrics, has found that the number of injuries from trampoline parks has increased along with their popularity. Researchers used data from a government injury surveillance system and discovered an increase in the amount of ER visits from injuries incurred at these types of parks. In 2010, fewer than 600 injuries were registered while in 2014, that amount soared to 6, 932. The researchers correlate these injuries with the increasing number of trampoline parks in the US, from 40 in 2011 to 280 in 2014.
The International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) took notice of the study’s results, stating that there were an estimated 50 million park visits in North America, in the past year alone. The Association said the rise in injuries should be expected as more people try out the activities parks offer, but the rate at which injuries happen is more significant than their amount. The IATP also stated they welcome studies which ‘provide a deeper understanding of safety issues.’
“We believe that the positives of recreational youth sports far outweigh the negatives, and we are actively engaged in programs aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of jumpers who visit our member parks.”
The study found that the most trampoline-related injuries happen at home, but the researchers did not see a significant increase from 2010 to 2014, nor did the overall trampoline injuries.
According to Kathryn Kasmire, a pediatrician at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and an author of the study, one major concern of trampoline park injuries is their severity. Over five percent of injuries from home trampolines require hospitalization compared to the almost nine percent of park injuries.
Most common trampoline park injuries include sprains and dislocations. Spinal cord trauma, skull and leg fractures are among the serious injuries that can occur, some cases even leading to paralysis.
Do you visit trampoline parks? Have you ever been injured while using trampolines?
Image source: Wikimedia
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