Key Highlights
- Approximately 100,000 trampoline injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under six should not use trampolines
- 74% of trampoline injuries involve the upper extremities
- The risk of injury is 14 times higher when more than one person is jumping simultaneously
- Falls from trampolines account for about 30% of injuries
- The most common injuries are fractures (including ankle and wrist fractures)
- Head injuries account for approximately 15% of trampoline-related injuries
- Approximately 11% of injuries require hospitalization
- Children under the age of 6 account for about 19% of trampoline injuries
- The risk of injury increases with the number of jumpers on a trampoline
- Nearly 80% of trampoline injuries occur in residential settings
- Using a safety net can reduce injury risk by about 50%
- The most common injury types are sprains, fractures, and contusions
Despite their popularity as fun-filled backyard entertainment, trampolines pose a significant safety risk, with approximately 100,000 injuries treated annually in U.S. emergency rooms—particularly among young children—highlighting the urgent need for stricter precautions and increased awareness to prevent devastating accidents.
Demographics and Risk Factors
- The peak age for trampoline injuries is 5 to 9 years old
- The risk of injury is higher for girls than boys, according to some studies
- Children with previous injuries are at higher risk of trampoline-related injuries
- Children with developmental delays are at higher risk for severe trampoline injuries
- The average age of trampoline injury patients is approximately 8 years old
- Injuries from trampoline accidents peak between ages 5 and 9, with the youngest children being most vulnerable
Demographics and Risk Factors Interpretation
Incidence and Epidemiology
- Approximately 100,000 trampoline injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year
- The risk of injury is 14 times higher when more than one person is jumping simultaneously
- Falls from trampolines account for about 30% of injuries
- Head injuries account for approximately 15% of trampoline-related injuries
- Children under the age of 6 account for about 19% of trampoline injuries
- The risk of injury increases with the number of jumpers on a trampoline
- Nearly 80% of trampoline injuries occur in residential settings
- The probability of injury per hour of trampoline use is estimated at 1 in 4,000 jumps
- Trampoline injuries are more common during the spring and summer months
- The incidence rate of trampoline injuries has increased by over 20% in the past decade
- The most common site of injury is the ankle, accounting for roughly 20% of injuries
- Trampoline injuries are more frequent in residential settings than in trampoline parks
- Nearly 2 million children under 15 are hospitalized each year due to trampoline injuries globally
- Fatal trampoline injuries are rare but have occurred, with an average of 1-2 deaths per year in the U.S.
- Two or more jumpers on a trampoline greatly increase the chance of injury, with some studies citing a 16 times higher risk
- The risk of injury is higher in home trampoline parks compared to commercial parks, according to some reports
- The injury rate for trampoline use among children with autism is approximately 60%, which is higher than the general population
- The most common injury location in toddlers under 3 is the head, accounting for over 40% of injuries in this age group
- The risk of injury during recreational use exceeds that of professional training, with amateur users being more prone
- The overall injury cost from trampoline accidents in the U.S. is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually
- Nearly 85% of injuries occur during recreational use, not competitive or training programs
Incidence and Epidemiology Interpretation
Injury Types and Medical Outcomes
- 74% of trampoline injuries involve the upper extremities
- The most common injuries are fractures (including ankle and wrist fractures)
- The most common injury types are sprains, fractures, and contusions
- 25% of trampoline injuries involve fractures or dislocations
- About 33% of injuries are caused by falling off the trampoline
- Trampoline injuries often involve the injury mechanism called "landing on the side," responsible for 25% of injuries
- The biomechanical forces experienced during rebound can generate hundreds of pounds of pressure, increasing injury risk
- In a study, 60% of trampoline injuries involved collisions with the trampoline frame or springs
- Trampoline-related emergency room visits involving fractures have increased by 10% over the past five years
Injury Types and Medical Outcomes Interpretation
Medical Outcomes
- Approximately 70% of patients with trampoline injuries are treated and released, with no hospitalization required
Medical Outcomes Interpretation
Preventive Measures and Safety Guidelines
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under six should not use trampolines
- Using a safety net can reduce injury risk by about 50%
- Use of padded poles and enclosures cuts the risk of injury slightly but does not eliminate it
- Use of trampoline safety nets has been shown to decrease injury incidences by up to 50%
- The safety guidelines recommend that only one person should jump at a time to reduce injury risk, but this is often violated in practice
- The risk of injury decreases significantly when parents actively supervise trampoline use
Preventive Measures and Safety Guidelines Interpretation
Severity and Long-term Effects
- Approximately 11% of injuries require hospitalization
- Trampoline injuries can result in long-term disabilities such as growth plate fractures
- The use of soft foam pits during trampoline training can lower injury severity for some maneuvers
Severity and Long-term Effects Interpretation
Sources & References
- Reference 1CDCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2AAPResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3JOURNALOFTRAUMAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4CPSCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5PUBMEDResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6MYINJURYATTORNEYResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7WHOResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8NCBIResearch Publication(2024)Visit source