What Is a Trampoline?
A trampoline is a device consisting of strong
durable fabric, spring coils, and a sturdy metal frame. The
fabric is stretched within the frame, and attached using the
coils or springs. This creates a bouncing or jumping surface of
the fabric. Trampolines have a base of some kind to suspend the
"bouncing surface" several feet above the ground.
Trampolines are used for recreational, acrobatic, gymnastic,
and exercise purposes. They come in a variety of sizes, and
costs vary based on the quality of materials used and the type
of trampoline you're buying. The fabric of trampolines isn't
actually stretchy on its own. In fact, standard heavy canvas,
or woven materials usually make up the fabric portion of the
trampoline, and the spring coils which attach that fabric to
the frame is what creates the rebound effects. Since the coils
stretch and retract naturally, a person can use a trampoline to
jump very high.
There are two primary types of trampolines: Recreational and
competitive. Some would argue a third type
has recently started making it's debut though: The fitness
trampoline. These tend to be a miniaturized version of the
recreational type of trampoline though, and they're sometimes
referred to as trampettes. Miniature
trampolines, or trampettes, used for fitness are not
designed to allow a very large or high jumping range. Instead
they're used to help reduce strain and impact on knees and
joints while exercising. These types of trampolines are also
not made to be used outdoors, so the fabric isn't usually
waterproofed.
Trampolines tend to come in circular shapes, but some are
available in octagon and rectangle shapes as well. Recreational
style trampolines tend to be made with less sturdy materials,
and they have fewer spring coils too.
Competitive trampolines are made from much sturdier steel
frames, stronger canvas fabrics, and feature many more strong
coils. The additional coils on competitive trampolines allows
for much higher jumps, stunts and acrobatics. Competition
trampolines also tend to be made for portability. They can be
folded up and easily moved from one place to another.
Recreational trampolines usually get assembled in place, and
stay there.
Even though recreational trampolines are made with less
coils and rebounding capabilities, they can still be quite
dangerous. In fact, most trampoline related injuries are caused
by home and recreational usage.
Since trampolines create an enhanced bouncing effect, it's
easy to jump quite high when playing on one. And this can lead
to loss of control, particularly for young children who aren't
experienced with controlling such large jump heights. Loss of
control on a trampoline often results in bouncing completely
off the platform. And since this is raised several feet above
the ground, the fall can cause serious injuries.
Other trampoline related injuries involve bouncing onto the
metal frame instead of landing back on the cloth area. Hitting
the wrong area of a trampoline frame can be just as harmful at
hitting the ground can be of course, so there are serious
injury risks involved with playing on a trampoline.
One way to have fun with trampolines while keeping things
safer, is to put a few people around the trampoline as
spotters. This way if the person on the trampoline looks like
they might bounce off or hit the frame, someone can be there to
help catch them or break the fall.
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