The Science Behind Trampolining and How It Improves Health

Rebounding or jumping on a mini trampoline is considered to be one of the best forms of exercise for any age from kids to active agers. As you jump on a trampoline, you experience a brief weightless state while in the air. Once your feet press into the mat, your body can experience up to 4Gs of gravitational force. This force provides a combination of health benefits that no other exercise can provide. There are several different benefits that come from incorporating trampolining, or rebounding, into your daily workout routine.

Safer, more effective than jogging

The flagship research that initially spoke of the benefits of rebounding was from a 1979 NASA study, which NASA published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 1980. According to the report, rebounding exercise is 68% more efficient than jogging. As a total body exercise, rebounding works every part of the body – increasing how many and how quickly you burn calories. NASA’s study claimed that someone spending one hour rebounding would burn more calories than that person would jogging for an hour.

Benefits the lymphatic system

Your lymphatic system fights bacterial and viral infections and removes waste from the body. The lymphatic system solely relies on our body movement as a pump to transport the waste out of your body. Since trampolining is a total body exercise, the constant accelerating and decelerating movements exercise the lymph valve and ducts, drastically increasing lymph flow. A gentle up and down bouncing, aka the “Health Bounce,” turbo charges lymph function. Dave Scrivens, a certified Lymphologist, says the gravitational pull caused by the bouncing causes the one-way lymphatic valves to open and close, moving the lymph. This is a very low impact exercise and incredibly effective at moving your lymphatic system - just two minutes clears the lymph. Trampolining for just a few minutes a day can provide major benefits to lympathic functions.

Potential to reduce cancer risk

The improved circulation of lymphatic fluid that rebounding provides also helps destroy cancerous cells in the body. Just as the fluid collects waste, bacteria, and damaged cells, it will collect any cancerous cells that are present and drain it from the body. The fact that few exercises support lymphatic system development further justifies how impactful rebounding can be to one’s overall health.

Strengthens bone mass

The NASA study also cited rebounding as being one of the best exercises for rebuilding lost bone tissue, after they studied astronauts who would lose bone mass while in space and observing them regain the mass due to rebounding. The increased G force on the bones strengthens them with less risk of injury than other forms of exercise. The loading and unloading of muscles also increases strength yet the gravitational forces are even throughout the body minimizing injury or potential rupture of muscles, ligaments or tendons. Trampolining’s effectiveness for strengthening bone density can also help prevent osteoporosis and even reverse the damage.

Negates fear and improves balance

Many seniors, especially those suffering from osteopenia, may have a fear of falling and injuring themselves. A recent medical study done on the effectiveness of using a mini trampoline found that rebounding was highly effective in improving balance and functional mobility, strength, gait performance and fear of falling in female patients and therefore, the use of mini-trampoline exercises may be considered as a valuable and safe exercise for older people. The dynamic surface of the mat allows for the strengthening of muscles necessary in balance. According to an interview in the Well Being Journal with James White, Ph.D., director of research and rehabilitation in the physical education department at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), “Rebounding allows the muscles to go through the full range of motion at equal force. It helps people learn to shift their weight properly and to be aware of body positions and balance,” states White in his explanation on how rebounding for health offers a true physical strengthening effect to the muscles. 

It’s fun and safe exercise for all

Running or jogging exerts a surplus of pressure on one’s joints, feet, and legs, which can promote pain and cause injury. Meanwhile, jumping or jogging on a trampoline can be more effective, as it allows you to exercise for longer without getting winded or overexerting pressure on your joints and limbs. Without the high impact of a hard surface on the body, rebounding can be a safe form of exercise for any type of person – seniors, those with limited mobility, young children, or beginners of exercise.

Best of all, it doesn’t feel like exercise! While there are exercises you can do on the trampoline, simply bouncing up and down can get you the results you need from exercise. If you don’t have a big backyard to fit a trampoline, consider getting a smaller one and enjoy the same benefits. JumpSport Fitness Trampolines come in all shapes and sizes to ensure you can enjoy this fun and effective exercise in the comforts of your home, regardless of how much room you have.