New Study Shows Pads and Enclosures on Traditional Trampolines Are Not Effective at Reducing Injury

Published Findings Reinforce that Trampoline Injuries Are Significantly Reduced Through Safe Design

SYDNEY, July 10, 2012 /CNW/ - An independent study published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, reports that trampoline injuries can be reduced by 30-80 percent purely through product engineering and design. The study, led by Dr. David Eager of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), maintained findings from an original pilot examination showing that pads and netting enclosures are not successful at preventing trampoline injuries. The implications of the pilot study warranted further research on trampolines specifically designed to prevent injury. Dr. Eager's new follow-up study provides evidence that non-traditional trampolines do in fact help reduce injuries caused by falling off or impact with the frame and springs.

"These findings are the first to clearly demonstrate that it is possible through good engineering to design a trampoline that significantly reduces the magnitude and severity of trampoline-related injuries," said Dr. Eager.  "It is vital for all parents to understand that "traditional" trampolines fitted with pads and netting enclosures do not necessarily provide a safer jumping surface, however soft-edge spring-free designs do, and they could help save thousands of children from ending up in emergency rooms with injuries from these backyard favorites."

The study scrutinized data from 3,817 participants who own a "soft-edge" Springfree Trampoline, as compared to data from the pilot study on "traditional" spring-based trampolines. The study previously concluded that traditional trampoline designs with padding and enclosures do not effectively reduce injuries.  In this new study, Dr. Eager and his team found that soft-edge trampoline designs reduce injuries to jumpers by 30-80 percent. This design significantly reduces two of the five main causes of trampoline injuries: falling off, and impact with the frame, springs or equipment. The other main causes of injury include multiple jumpers, hurting one's self, and getting on or off, all of which can only be controlled by the user's actions.

In the United States alone, 50 percent of trampoline injures are caused by children falling off the equipment or coming into contact with the frame and springs. According to Dr. Eager, injuries caused by falling off and impact with the frame, springs or equipment are over represented in the most severe injury categories, such as spinal and head injuries.

"We now have evidence that shows the most serious injuries can be eliminated through good engineering design." said Dr. Eager.

The International Trampoline Industry Association reports that approximately 900,000 trampolines were sold in the U.S. in 2010, with nearly 4.5 million sold in the last five years. Based on this data, Dr. Eager expressed concern that traditional trampolines are a huge source of potential danger to children being sold under the false pretense of safety, and should be replaced with "soft-edge" spring-free designs. He also advocated for further regulations and standards to ensure injury prevention on trampolines, as current trampoline safety standards in the U.S. and Australia do not prevent the sale of dangerous products or their use by children.

To learn more about the study, please visit the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2012.02426.x/abstract

Image with caption: "How safe is your trampoline? This graphic explains the risk of head injuries caused by traditional trampolines and how Springfree Trampoline's design reduces head injuries. All parents want their kids to have fun, but it should never come at the cost of safety. (CNW Group/SpringFree Trampoline)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120710_C7211_PHOTO_EN_16141.jpg

Katherine Langdon
Springfree Trampoline
289-818-1716
[e-mail]