Trampoline parks have become increasingly popular in the United States. But as the fun soars high, so do cases of trampoline-related injuries, a new study has revealed.
Experts at Connecticut Children's Medical Center analyzed a national injury database and found that yearly emergency room visits for trampoline park-related injuries have jumped 12-fold over the last five years.
The injuries range from neck sprains, broken legs and concussions, but about 90 percent of the injured adults and children get treated and released, the report said.
Emergency Room Visits
According to researchers, trips to the emergency room due to trampoline-related injuries shot up from just 581 cases in 2010 to about 6,932 cases in 2014.
During this time, the number of trampoline parks in the country also increased from only 40 in 2011 to 280 in 2014. In 2015, there were a total of 460 trampoline parks in North America and 220 across the globe.
The most common trampoline park-related injuries include dislocations and sprains, while the most severe range from open leg and skull fractures, as well as spinal cord trauma.
Kathryn Kasmire, author of the study and a pediatrician at the medical center, says in some cases, the injuries lead to surgery or paralysis.
Still, the report said a vast majority of trampoline injuries happen at home and not at indoor parks. Trampoline injuries that occurred at home did not increase greatly from 2010 to 2014, nor did overall trampoline-related injuries.
Injured Patients
Statistics revealed that two-thirds of the trampoline park injuries befell kids who were aged 6 to 17 years old, while about one in every five cases happened to those who were 18 years old and above.
Only 14 percent of park injury patients were younger than 6, while this age group accounted for about 30 percent of injuries from home trampolines.
Kasmire says one in every 11 children or young adults who were rushed to the emergency room for trampoline park-related injuries end up being admitted to the hospital.
Safety Is A Priority
The International Association of Trampoline Parks said the increase in injuries should be anticipated because of the number of parks in recent years.
In a statement, the group said the positive effects of youth recreational sports outweigh the negative effects.
"We are actively engaged in programs aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of jumpers who visit our member parks," the IATP said.
The group said safety is always a priority and that it advocates for protective padding and supervision in trampoline parks.
Meanwhile, Kasmire mentioned that parks have done a good job in making sure that youngsters do not fall off trampolines. Parks cover the floors with bouncy surfaces, reducing the chances of head injuries.
Furthermore, Kasmire noted that the new report could not determine the likelihood of getting injured at a trampoline park. She said they know that any kind of trampoline is relatively dangerous for young children. Adult supervision is strictly required.
Details of the new study are published in the journal Pediatrics.
Photo: Pawej Loj | Flickr
