Garden Trampoline can Pose Great Risk to Kids: Study

Jumping on a garden trampoline is a fun form of exercise and play but can pose a greater injury risk for children and youths than traffic, according to a new Swedish study.

The increase of trampoline-related injuries was of concern "especially due to neck and head injuries" that could occur, Ulf Bjornstig of the Umea University Hospital in northern Sweden told the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.

The most common injuries were, however, sprains and broken bones but between three and seven percent of the cases were concussion or whiplash injuries.

The injury risk was twice as high compared to traffic-related injury, the survey said.

The survey was compiled between 2001 and 2005, and the results were published in the Feb 5 issue of the Swedish physicians' journal Lakartidningen.

According to a questionnaire issued to patients, most injuries were sustained when children missed their landing on the trampoline, followed by sprains or broken bones when jumping off the trampoline. Every sixth injury was due to a collision with another jumper.

Every 10th injury required hospital treatment, the survey said.

Recommendations to lower the injury risk included erecting a protective net around the trampoline, ensuring that the landing area near the trampoline was soft and preventing too many children from jumping at same time.

The results were on par with similar surveys in other countries.

Source-IANS
SRM