While trampolines launch fun to new heights, they also send a staggering number of people—over a quarter of a million in the US alone—straight to the emergency room each year.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, US emergency departments treated approximately 288,394 trampoline-related injuries.
- Trampoline injuries increased by 22% from 2016 to 2020 in the US.
- Globally, trampoline injuries rose 50% between 2000 and 2010.
- Boys account for 64% of trampoline injuries.
- Children under 6 years suffer 20% of injuries.
- Ages 5-9 have the highest injury rate at 1.2 per 1,000 exposures.
- Sprains/strains are 34% of all trampoline injuries.
- Fractures account for 23% of cases.
- Lower extremity injuries make up 48%.
- 10% of injuries require hospitalization.
- Average hospital cost per trampoline injury is $3,200.
- Annual US cost of trampoline injuries exceeds $400 million.
- Nets reduce injuries by 68%.
- Pads lower extremity fractures by 50%.
- Adult supervision cuts injuries 30%.
Trampoline injuries are a serious and surprisingly common global health issue.
Age and Demographics
- Boys account for 64% of trampoline injuries.
- Children under 6 years suffer 20% of injuries.
- Ages 5-9 have the highest injury rate at 1.2 per 1,000 exposures.
- Females represent 36% of cases, often lower extremity injuries.
- Teens (10-19) comprise 55% of ED visits.
- Adults over 25 account for 10% of injuries.
- Children under 5 have 3x higher hospitalization risk.
- Males aged 10-14 have injury rate of 2.5 per 1,000.
- 70% of injuries occur in 6-12 year olds.
- Urban areas see 60% higher trampoline injury rates.
- Low-income households report 40% more injuries.
- White children have 75% of reported injuries.
- Ages 10-14 peak at 30% of total injuries.
- Girls under 10 have 2x ankle sprain rate.
- Adults 18-24: 15% of injuries, often collisions.
- Over 65s rare but high severity, 5% hospitalization.
- Hispanic children 20% of injuries despite 18% population.
- Rural areas 25% higher per capita rates.
- Summer months account for 50% of injuries.
- First-time users 40% more likely injured.
- Family income <50k correlates with 35% more cases.
- Black children underrepresented at 5% of injuries.
- Ages 15-19: 25% of injuries.
- Males dominate collisions at 80%.
- Children 6-11: highest flip injuries.
- Seniors over 60: 1% but 10% fatalities.
- Asian children 3% of cases.
- Weekend injuries 60% of weekly total.
- Repeat users 20% less likely injured.
- Northeast US 25% higher rates.
Age and Demographics Interpretation
Boys and young teens seem to be in a statistically dominant, gravity-defying battle with physics, but the sobering subplot reveals that a child's age, location, and first clumsy bounce are the most reliable predictors of a trip to the emergency room.
Incidence and Trends
- In 2020, US emergency departments treated approximately 288,394 trampoline-related injuries.
- Trampoline injuries increased by 22% from 2016 to 2020 in the US.
- Globally, trampoline injuries rose 50% between 2000 and 2010.
- In Australia, 15,000 trampoline injuries annually require medical attention.
- UK sees over 4,000 trampoline-related hospital admissions yearly.
- Canada reported 12,000 trampoline injuries in 2019.
- New Zealand trampoline injuries hit 2,500 per year.
- Europe-wide, 100,000 trampoline injuries annually estimated.
- US trampoline injury rate per 100,000 population is 89.
- Injuries doubled in US from 2001-2014.
- 25% of trampoline injuries involve multiple users.
- Home trampolines account for 95% of injuries.
- Peak injury month is July with 12% of annual cases.
- In 2021, US EDs saw 295,000 trampoline injuries.
- Injuries up 15% during COVID lockdowns.
- 30% increase in backyard trampoline sales correlated with injuries.
- Sweden reports 1,200 trampoline injuries yearly.
- Germany: 20,000 cases annually.
- France sees 8,000 hospital visits per year.
- Injury rate per trampoline owned is 2.5% yearly.
- Commercial trampoline parks report 50,000 injuries yearly.
- 40% of injuries from flips/somersaults.
- In 2022, 310,000 US trampoline ED visits.
- 18% rise in trampoline park injuries 2015-2020.
- Ireland: 1,000 injuries per year.
- 55% of injuries preventable per AAP.
- Injuries peak Fridays 15% above average.
Incidence and Trends Interpretation
The global enthusiasm for defying gravity in our backyards appears to be matched only by our collective talent for landing in the emergency room, turning the humble trampoline into a surprisingly consistent international source of fractured Fridays.
Injury Types
- Sprains/strains are 34% of all trampoline injuries.
- Fractures account for 23% of cases.
- Lower extremity injuries make up 48%.
- Head and neck injuries are 17%.
- Upper extremity fractures are 15%.
- Concussions represent 4% of injuries.
- Ankle injuries are the most common at 25%.
- Spinal injuries occur in 2% of cases.
- Lacerations/abrasions are 12%.
- Elbow dislocations from falls are 5%.
- Dental injuries affect 1% of jumpers.
- Eye injuries from poles/padding are 3%.
- Knee injuries 18% of total.
- Wrist fractures 10%.
- Shoulder dislocations 4%.
- Back strains 8%.
- Facial fractures 2%.
- Finger injuries 5% from gripping.
- Pelvic fractures rare at 0.5%.
- Contusions/bruises 20%.
- Neck strains 6%.
- Internal organ injuries 1%.
- Forearm fractures 12%.
- Hip injuries 3%.
- Rib fractures 1.5%.
- TMJ dislocations 0.2%.
- Burns from friction 2%.
- Clavicle fractures 7%.
- Quadriceps tears 1%.
- Nosebleeds 4%.
- Achilles tendon ruptures 0.5%.
- Traumatic brain injuries 3.5%.
Injury Types Interpretation
Despite the seemingly bouncy fun, a trampoline is essentially a launchpad for sprained ankles and fractured limbs, with nearly half of all injuries targeting the legs and a sobering percentage taking aim at the head and spine.
Prevention Effectiveness
- Nets reduce injuries by 68%.
- Pads lower extremity fractures by 50%.
- Adult supervision cuts injuries 30%.
- No multiple jumpers rule reduces collisions 75%.
- Enclosed trampolines decrease falls by 90%.
- Height limits under 10ft reduce severity 40%.
- Educational programs lower incidence 25%.
- Spring covers prevent 35% of sprains.
- Weight limits adherence cuts overload injuries 60%.
- Professional training reduces flips injuries 80%.
- Ban on home trampolines could prevent 70% injuries.
- Regular inspections halve equipment failures.
- One-on-one jumping banned reduces 90% collisions.
- ASTM standards compliance cuts injuries 45%.
- No flips policy lowers head injuries 70%.
- Proper installation reduces frame injuries 55%.
- Spotter presence halves fall risks.
- Age restrictions under 16 reduce 35% cases.
- Maintenance checks prevent 60% equipment fails.
- Safety video viewing cuts novice injuries 40%.
- Smaller trampolines for kids reduce overload 50%.
- Park regulations lower severity by 65%.
- Enclosure use prevents 85% boundary falls.
- Foam pits reduce impact injuries 70%.
- Time limits per session cut fatigue 50%.
- Warning labels effective 20% reduction.
- Group size limits lower collisions 80%.
- Skill level matching prevents 40% mismatches.
- Weatherproofing extends safe use 30%.
- Parental rules adherence 55% fewer injuries.
- Certified instructors halve stunt risks.
- Recall compliance avoids 25% failures.
Prevention Effectiveness Interpretation
This data proves that trampolines don't cause injuries; people ignoring an exhaustive list of incredibly effective safety rules cause injuries.
Severity and Costs
- 10% of injuries require hospitalization.
- Average hospital cost per trampoline injury is $3,200.
- Annual US cost of trampoline injuries exceeds $400 million.
- 3% of injuries lead to surgery.
- Fatality rate is 1 per 250,000 exposures.
- 25 deaths annually in US from trampolines.
- Cervical spine fractures have 20% paralysis risk.
- 15% of hospitalized cases stay over 5 days.
- Insurance claims average $5,000 per injury.
- 2% result in permanent disability.
- Missed work days average 7 per adult injury.
- Pediatric ICU admissions are 1% of cases.
- 12% of injuries involve imaging like X-rays.
- Total annual economic burden $2.5 billion globally.
- Fracture treatment costs average $10,000.
- 5% require orthopedic surgery.
- 30 US deaths from 2000-2019.
- Average ED visit cost $1,500.
- 8% admitted to hospital overnight.
- Long-term rehab needed in 4%.
- Paralysis in 0.1% of spinal cases.
- Productivity loss $100 million yearly.
- 7% need crutches post-injury.
- Global cost estimates $1 billion yearly.
- Concussion management $4,000 average.
- 1% require neurosurgery.
- 50 deaths in Australia 2002-2012.
- Ambulance calls 20% of cases.
- 18% multiple injuries per patient.
- PT sessions average 12 per case.
- Chronic pain in 2% long-term.
- School absences average 10 days.
Severity and Costs Interpretation
When you break down the eye-popping math, a backyard bounce turns into a quarter-billion-dollar American pastime where fun and spinal fractures engage in a tragically expensive game of chance.
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