Trampoline Safety in Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

Despite previous recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics discouraging home use of trampolines, recreational use of trampolines in the home setting continues to be a popular activity among children and adolescents. This policy statement is an update to previous statements, reflecting the current literature on prevalence, patterns, and mechanisms of trampoline-related injuries. Most trampoline injuries occur with multiple simultaneous users on the mat. Cervical spine injuries often occur with falls off the trampoline or with attempts at somersaults or flips. Studies on the efficacy of trampoline safety measures are reviewed, and although there is a paucity of data, current implementation of safety measures have not appeared to mitigate risk substantially. Therefore, the home use of trampolines is strongly discouraged. The role of trampoline as a competitive sport and in structured training settings is reviewed, and recommendations for enhancing safety in these environments are made.

Epidemiological Analysis of Displaced Supracondylar Fractures

“…In The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has gone so far as to recommend against the use of trampolines for children to play on stating that pediatricians need to actively discourage recreational trampoline usage [11]. The findings of the current study indicate that the AAP should focus on monkey bar safety as well.…”

“…Monkey bar falls are the most common cause of playgroundrelated supracondylar fracture. In the same four studies totaling 1,671 supracondylar fractures, 144 were the direct result of falls from monkey bars (7.5%) [4,[8][9][10][11]. Another common culprit resulting in supracondylar fractures are trampoline falls.…”

Pediatric falls ages 0–4: understanding demographics, mechanisms, and injury severities

“…Further, communities, daycare, and schools should routinely inspect and assess their playground surfaces and playground equipment to ensure they are updated, safe, and meet national consumer safety standards (American Society for Testing and Materials International, 2017). Trampolines should not be used for recreational use given inadequate standards for equipment safety and supervision from structured training programs (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012). …”

“…Within the first 10 years of implementation, these public health campaigns resulted in up to a 96% reduction of window falls for children < 5-years-old (Harris et al, 2011). Nationally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been at the forefront of providing pediatric caregiver and community education as well as fall prevention strategies through Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention (COIVPP) policy statements about injuries associated with infant walkers, shopping carts, trampolines, and falls from heights (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001a; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012; American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001b). Despite these injury prevention efforts, unintentional pediatric falls have remained a significant cause of injury, medical morbidity, and cost to the healthcare system in the youngest population.…”

Compliance of Parenting Magazines Advertisements with American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations

“…Many unintended injuries in children occur in the context of play. Accordingly, the AAP has several guidelines for safe play including: avoiding infant walkers which have been shown to lead to falls and broken bones [23]; toys with small magnetic parts which if swallowed can link up leading to intestinal obstruction [24]; backyard trampolines which are associated with injuries [25,26]; non-powder projectile guns [27]; helmet use [28]; and playground safety [29]. There were examples of non-adherence for all of these categories, with advertisements for infant walkers making up the largest proportion ( n = 9; 43% of this category).…”