Jumping on a Trampoline
Even though certain organizations are not keen on trampolines bring used for recreational purposes in your home or the back garden there is no doubt that this is a very good way of having fun coupled with a good amount of cardio exercise. It does depend though on there being adequate supervision for the younger element and precautions such as safety pads and harnesses and the trampoline should be enclosed to help prevent anyone falling off.
There are in existence two main types of trampoline and these are used for recreational and competition purposes. The former are not as sturdy as the latter simply because of their different aspects of usage. When using recreational apparatus you must take extra care for example regular maintenance and any tears must be attended to before anyone else utilises the trampoline. Keep an eye out too for any rust.
Some of us of a certain age may remember when trampolines were introduced to us in those beloved PE lessons at school but the idea of trampolines could have been started as far back as the early twentieth century when certain stage acts utilised a type of bouncing bed which bore a considerable resemblance to the trampoline we know today.
A gymnast, George Nissen and a friend of his, Larry Griswold designed the first trampoline in 1934. It was simply a stretched piece of canvas complete with grommets situated along each side and fitted to an iron frame by coiled springs. However history tells us that according to circus lore an artist called Du Trampolin realised the potential form watching trapeze artists using a net to fall onto. Whatever story you consider it was certainly the start of something that is so very strong today. The word trampoline is now a household name.
Today the trampolines uses are manifold especially with the training of pilots and astronauts in variable body positioning.
As a sport trampoline jumping became accepted as a sport in the 1980 Olympic Games and incorporated therein. The purpose is to perform acrobatics simultaneously with jumping and bouncing on the trampoline. Positions known as pike, tuck and straddle jumps will be familiar to you if you watch any competition.
As an exercise and if used safely the trampoline can be a tremendous aid and fitness tool for people of all ages. The medical profession see trampolining as a super activity because it uses every pert of the body. We are told by Doctors that it is an excellent activity for therapies such as stimulation of the lymphatic system or white blood system. Apparently the rebounding movements also help in the removal of toxins.
Finally something for the totally dedicated sportsman and not the faint hearted is the latest innovation of trampoline jumping and the introduction of Bungee trampolines. This is the world of extreme sports and the jumper attaches a harness to their waist connected to bungee ropes on both sides. This in turn means that the participant can attempt various somersaults and other airborne acrobatics and aerobics whilst being catapulted up to 20 metres into the air. All in all this is probably a lot safer than the traditional way on a trampoline as the harness can prevent injury from falls.