More Swedish children are bouncing their way to hospital as the country sees a tenfold increase in trampolining accidents. As the spring-loaded devices continue to become a common fixture in gardens across the country, statistics reviewed by research foundation Barnolycksfonden reveal hundreds of children are failing to keep their feet on the ground.
The figures, also evaluated by Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital and insurance firm Trygg-Hansa, show that in 2008, 5,000 cases of trampoline-related injuries in youngsters were reported. Preliminary results for 2009, however, suggest that last year, several hundred more came a cropper while practicing their airborne antics.
Neck and head damage are common injuries sustained when trampolining, along with twisted fingers, arms, wrists and ankles. Most accidents occur when several children invade the device at the same time, causing falls and accidental collisions.
“One probable cause is that more people are getting trampolines, possibly combined with a development whereby people are trying out more advanced moves that they haven’t quite mastered,” said Bjorn Sporrong, a board member at Barnolycksfonden, in a report by The Local.
One in ten children injured on a trampoline require hospital treatment, with girls making up the bulk of accident prone youngsters. Bjorn Sporrong, however, maintains that the popular apparatus are not all bad for children.
“They help develop balance, coordination and fitness. Used in the right way they can be really fun playthings,” he said.