Trampoline

Get fit and add some spring to your life! Kidzworld checks out the big bounces and high-flying flips from the world of trampolining.

Trampolining 101 - History

If you've ever jumped up and down on your bed or couch, you've participated in the sport of trampolining. People from England to Ancient China to the Arctic all invented different versions of a contraption for high-flying bouncing and jumping. In the 1930s, American George Nissen invented the modern trampoline in his garage and used it to help with his gymnastics and diving training. Nissen named it the trampoline after the spanish word, "el trampolin", which means diving board in Spanish.

Trampolining 101 - Physical Benefits

Besides being super fun and easy to do, bouncing on a trampoline has many unique physical benefits. Trampolining is a great way to develop your balancing skills and learn how to control your body while in mid air. The sport is also a good leg exercise and helps develops muscles in the arms, shoulders and stomach. As well, bouncing up and down on a trampoline can help you improve your coordination and cardio strength. Trampolining is used for cross training in many other sports including wakeboarding, ski jumping and gymnastics.

Trampolining 101 - Getting Started

If you'd like to add some spring and bounce to your fitness routine or are tired of getting grounded for jumping up and down on your parents' bed, trampolining is a sport that's easy and fun to get involved in. Many community centers or gymnastics clubs have trampoline classes for kids or you can get your parents to buy you for your backyard as well. Remember to always play safe when using a trampoline - if you're not careful, you can easily bounce yourself into the emergency room. Make sure the trampoline you use is in good condition, only let one person jump on the trampoline at a time and be sure an adult is around to supervise. And don't try any sommersaults or flips without the help of a qualified teacher.

Trampolining 101 - Facts and Records

Trampolining was first made an Olympic event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia.

The Inuit and Native American people of the Arctic invented a trampoline using a walrus skin hundreds of years ago. One person stood in the middle of the skin while several others held the skin and tossed the person in the middle up in the air. This early form of trampoling was done both for fun and to spot wildlife on the horizon.

Dominic Swaffer set a world record in London, England on May 25, 1999 by doing 84 twisted sommersaults on a trampoline in one minute.

Trampolining was used by pilots during World War II and is used today by astronauts to learn body control and orientation while in the air.

Related Stories:

Gymnastics Olympic Sports Profile

Yoga For A New Generation

Aerobics 101

More Sports, Fitness and Exercise Tips