Position Statement

Trampolines and Trampoline Safety

This Position Statement was developed as an educational tool based on the opinion of the authors. It is not a product of a systematic review. Readers are encouraged to consider the information presented and reach their own conclusions.

The number and severity of injuries resulting from the use of trampolines is significant and increasing. Hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics treated 211,646 trampoline injuries sustained by children under age 19 in 2003. The estimated cost of medical, legal, insurance and disability costs and other expenses in 2001 was more than $4 billion.

Young children ages 5 to 10 are particularly at risk; 102,017 injuries related to trampolines for this group were treated in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and clinics at a cost of more than $2 billion annually. The most common injuries are sprains and fractures, often severe, which usually result from a fall on the trampoline. Severe injuries are not common, but they do occur and can result in paralysis or, rarely, death. Use of the trampoline by more than one child further increases the risk of injury through collisions among jumpers or the catapulting of jumpers off the trampoline.

In an effort to reduce the number and severity of injuries resulting from the use of trampolines, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends routine observation of the following guidelines:

• Use of trampolines for physical education, competitive gymnastics, diving training and other similar activities requires careful adult supervision and proper safety measures.
• Trampolines should not be used for unsupervised recreational activity.
• Competent adult supervision and instruction is needed for children at all times.
• Only one participant should use a trampoline at any time.
• Spotters should be present when participants are jumping. Somersaults or high-risk maneuvers should be avoided without proper supervision and instruction; these maneuvers should be done only with proper use of protective equipment, such as a harness.
• The trampoline-jumping surface should be placed at ground level.
• The supporting bars, strings and surrounding landing surfaces should have adequate protective padding.
• Equipment should be checked regularly for safety conditions.
• Safety net enclosures may give a false sense of security – most injuries occur on the trampoline surface.
• Trampolines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age.
• Make sure trampoline ladders are removed after use to prevent unsupervised access by young children.

References:

1. Trampolines at Home, School, and Recreational Centers, American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement 1999. Available online at: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9844.html. Accessed October 14, 2004.
2. Trampoline Safety Alert, Consumer Product Safety Alert, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2001. Available online at: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/085.pdf Accessed October 14, 2004.
3. Black GB, Amadeo R: Orthopaedic injuries associated with backyard trampoline use in children. Can J. Surg. 2003 Jun;46(3):199-201.
4. Larson BJ, Davis JW: Trampoline-related injuries. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1995 Aug;77(8):1174-8.
5. Consumer Product Safety Commission. NEISS 2002 and 2003 data.
   

© September 1996. Revised June 2005 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

This material may not be modified without the express written permission of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons^®.

Position Statement 1135

For additional information, contact Public Education and Media Relations Department at 847-384-4031.