Exercise is important for us, not just physically, but mentally as well.
We all know how important exercise is, but not everybody wants to go to the gym or for a jog around the local park.
The good news is that there are plenty of exercise options out there that are fun, and very beneficial.
Trampolining is just one of them.
Bouncing on a trampoline, or ‘rebounding’ as it is also known, offers cardiovascular health benefits; it helps you to lose weight, it improves coordination, it tones the muscles, and it’s a very fun way of exercising.
Despite rebounding on a trampoline being so enjoyable and beneficial, it can also be a risky affair too, as there are plenty of negative side effects of rebounding that you need to be aware of.
To help ensure that you bounce safely on a trampoline we’re going to list some common negative side effects of rebounding and look at what you should do instead.
Here Are The Negative Side Effects Of Rebounding:
Is Rebounding Bad For High Blood Pressure?
While people suffering from hypertension, or, high blood pressure, as it is more commonly known, are advised to exercise and perform gentle cardiovascular exercise, there is some concern amongst health officials and experts, that rebounding could elevate a person’s blood pressure.
Rebounding on a rebounder trampoline is a fairly HIIT, high-impact, high-intensity form of exercise.
High-intensity exercise elevates a person’s heart rate, which can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.
In the United States, hypertension is a very serious health concern as it can serve as a precursor for heart attacks, strokes, organ failure, and much more besides.
In fact, because it is so difficult to diagnose, doctors have dubbed it the ‘silent killer’.
While performing rebounder exercises, studies have found that pressure upon the body increases by as much as 15 times the normal amount.
For people with hypertension, this can be very dangerous.
Is Rebounding Bad For The Knees?
Anybody who suffers from arthritis in their knees, or who has suffered a knee injury in the past, will know exactly how painful knee issues can be, and how long they take to clear up.
Knee injuries are common during sports and exercise, but are knee injuries caused by rebounding?
As long as you’re careful, you can rebound perfectly fine and perfectly safe on a rebounder trampoline. However, there are some exceptions.
Despite rebounding being relatively safe for the knees, people who have previously suffered from knee injuries, or who have underlying knee issues, are advised not to rebound.
Also, the fact that it does put the knees at risk if they are already vulnerable.
Mini trampolines or rebounders as they are known, come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, and different models provide different benefits.
Cheap models are made with cheap materials which wear out and become saggy after a while. This means that it doesn’t displace your weight evenly and your knees could be at risk.
Posture is also vital when rebounding. If you land with your legs straight you’re asking for a knee injury.
When you land, you want to have your knees bent slightly, otherwise, you may as well be landing on a hard flat floor.
Rebounding compresses the kneecaps which are not great for weakened knees so just be aware of that if you are thinking of using a mini trampoline with underlying knee issues.
Is Rebounding Dangerous For The Back?
We spoke about knee injuries earlier, but back issues are, for many, considered to be even more painful.
Those who have ever injured their back will know just how awful it is and how difficult it can make everyday life.
Back pain can be crippling for a lot of people and can render them bedridden.
So, is it advisable to use a rebounder mini trampoline if you have back issues?
No, it is not.
Studies have found that rebounding from a back injury can lead to chronic back pain and can slow down the recovery process.
But what about back pain?
If you suffer from back pain with no major cause of injury, studies have found that rebounding can be safe and even beneficial when it comes to easing back pain and strengthening the lower back muscles.
Is Rebounding Dangerous For The Ankles?
Your ankles are perhaps the most vulnerable part of your body when it comes to rebounding, which is why you need to be very careful when doing so.
Rebounding on a trampoline actually puts less stress and pressure on the ankles than running on a hard surface, or jumping rope. Does this mean it’s safe for the ankles?
Absolutely not.
Yes, the trampoline mat is softer and displaces your energy differently, but you’re still jumping up and down and putting pressure on the ankles.
If you have an ankle injury, you should not jump on a trampoline as the rebounding can cause the ligaments in the ankle to stretch, which slows down the healing process considerably.
You may think that bouncing up and down on a trampoline is not that dangerous, but each time you land, you’re stretching the ligaments and causing them to move unnaturally.
As well as that, when rebounding there’s always the risk that you lose your footing when landing and twist and sprain your ankle.
This could be very painful and could even result in a broken ankle.
If you have ankle issues, you’re best to steer clear of rebounding and try to work with ankle weights, just to be safe.
Is Rebounding Dangerous For Nerve Damage?
One of the lesser-known negative side effects is the fact that it can be dangerous for people suffering from nerve damage.
People can suffer from all manner of different nerve-related issues, yet mainly they are caused by issues surrounding the spine and the back in general.
For these reasons, if you suffer from nerve issues or back problems, you should not bounce on a trampoline as this can exasperate the condition and make it worse.
While there are studies that suggest that rebounding gently can help to repair nerve damage and strengthen neurons, encouraging regeneration, if you have a severe nerve-related issue you should refrain from rebounding.
Nerve damage can be caused by all manner of sports-related issues and types of trauma, but if you do suffer from nerve damage you should instead visit a physiotherapist and undergo rehab, rather than rebounding.
Is Rebounding Bad For Your Bladder?
Okay, to some of you this might seem a little embarrassing, although, in all honesty, we’re not sure why as it’s perfectly normal.
People who suffer from bladder issues may struggle when rebounding on a mini trampoline.
Women especially can suffer from weak bladders after they give birth, resulting in a mild form of incontinence.
This basically means that they can lose control over their rates of urination and yes, at times, they may wet themselves slightly.
Some activities can really bring on spells of incontinence such as laughing, running, exercising, and jumping.
Rebounding on a trampoline, causes the bladder to move which can reduce pressure situated at the neck of the bladder, causing urine to seep out into the urethra. Strengthening your pelvic floor can work wonders here.
Jumping excessively causes the pressure on the pelvic floor to increase, resulting in it no longer being able to support the weight of the bladder, which is when unplanned urination will occur.
In simple terms, if you have a weak pelvic floor or incontinence issues, jumping on a trampoline could cause you to wet yourself.
Is Rebounding Bad For The Pelvic Floor?
Speaking of the pelvic floor, how does that fare when it comes to rebounding on a trampoline?
Well, another possible negative side is a weakened pelvic floor muscle.
The pelvic floor is a collective term used for a series of muscles as part of the female anatomy.
This is because women have larger pelvises due to their ability to give birth. Men also have a pelvic floor, it’s just that it is less important in men than it is in women.
In women, the pelvic floor muscles provide support for major organs, including the uterus. It also, as previously mentioned, helps control bladder movement.
A weak pelvic floor means you’re more likely to suffer from incontinence.
If you have a strong pelvic floor, rebounding on a rebounder trampoline is perfectly fine.
If however, yours is weak, rebounding can cause further damage to the pelvic floor and weaken it further but put excessive strain on it.
If you are female and are looking to rebound and look after your pelvic floor, make sure you avoid landing with both feet at the same time.
Can Rebounding Be Bad For Varicose Veins?
Some people that rebound on a trampoline are concerned that doing so could cause them to suffer from varicose veins.
They’re worried that the bounding will cause the veins to stretch, allowing more blood to pass through them, causing them to sag and become varicose.
In reality, providing you’re not already at risk of varicose veins, rebounding on a trampoline should be perfectly fine.
If however, you are at risk of varicose veins I.E you’re overweight or have suffered an injury, a lack of elasticity within the walls of veins can cause them to become varicose.
If this happens, you should avoid rebounding on a trampoline or any similar rebounder devices as your veins may become more prominent.
By rebounding, you are essentially forcing the body to work against gravity and here there’s only one winner, and that isn’t your body. This places extra pressure on the legs and can lead to varicose veins and other lower body issues.
Can Rebounding Cause A Prolapse?
Now, there is conflicting evidence for this one, as some experts say one thing, while others say the complete opposite.
If you suffer from pelvic organ prolapse, you should not rebound on a trampoline. As you are bouncing up and down you’re transferring energy up and down, which can cause the uterus to slip downwards.
Yes, gentle rebounding can strengthen the pelvic floor, but if you are at risk of prolapse, or have suffered one in the past, avoiding rebounding is very important.
Is Rebounding Dangerous For Scoliosis?
For people concerned that rebounding on a trampoline can lead to worsening of scoliosis symptoms, so far there is no evidence to support this.
Some evidence even suggests that rebounding could improve scoliosis symptoms.
What is a concern, however, is that if children spend hours each day rebounding up and down on a trampoline, it could possibly lead to back and spinal issues and could result in scoliosis.
While it is thought that gentle bouncing on a trampoline can be beneficial for scoliosis sufferers, if you experience any pain or discomfort as a result of rebounding, you should cease immediately before you make things worse.
Final Thoughts:
So, we’ve looked at rebounding and we’ve looked at the negative side effects of rebounding, so what are our thoughts?
Well, rebounding is a beneficial form of exercise that has been linked with numerous health benefits, for the body and the mind. With that said, there are also a number of risks that you need to be aware of.
Generally, rebounding is not encouraged if you suffer from underlying injuries or health issues as it can make them worse.
As long as you’re sensible and recognize the risks, however, it is perfectly fine. Overall, rebounding is not only a fun exercise – it also helps you burn plenty of calories.
