Increasing injuries as trampoline parks expand within Australia: a call for mandatory standards

Abstract

Objective: To quantify an apparent increase in indoor trampoline park related injuries in children and young people across Australia, and to understand the implications for current regulatory standards. Methods:Retrospective analyses of three state-based Injury Surveillance databases, identifying children and adolescents presenting to emergency departments between the years 2005 and 2017, who had sustained injuries during trampolining activity at an indoor trampoline park.Results: Across the three datasets, 487 cases were identified. No cases were recorded prior to 2012, the year the first indoor trampoline park opened. At least half occurred among those aged 10-14 years. In Victoria, 58% were male, with 52% in Queensland and 60% in Western Australia being male, respectively. Hospital admission rates in these states were 15%, 11.7% and 14.5%, respectively. The most frequent injury types were dislocations, sprains and strains, followed by fractures, with some head and spinal injuries.Conclusions: Across several states in Australia, the incidence of indoor trampoline park related injuries is concerning, as these venues are increasing in number. Some injuries can be serious and result in lifelong disability for children or adolescents.Implications for public health: National safety standards that apply to indoor trampoline park operators are not currently mandatory; injury prevention efforts would be assisted if such standards were mandatory.

Children bouncing to the emergency department: Changes in trampoline injury patterns

“…The older median age of injury at the trampoline parks is likely a reflection of their minimum age restriction and promotional advertising to appeal to all ages, including adults . Similar to Mulligan (Australia) but in contrast with Kasmire (USA) and Sharwood (Australia), we found a predominance of female patients at the commercial park …”

“…Overall, children at the commercial park appeared to be more severely injured as they required a longer median length of stay, an ambulance or operation more often and sustained a higher proportion of fractures and lower limb injuries. Kasmire, Sharwood and Mulligan all reported on the predominance of lower limb injuries at commercial parks . Further investigation is required to determine the causes and prevention strategies of these lower limb injuries, which may include improvements in commercial park design and rules.…”

“…There is little evidence that the voluntary Australian Standard has had any effect on the private home setting, whereas it does not apply to commercial trampoline parks. Ongoing reports of trampoline injuries in Australian children suggest that further strategies may be required, and there are emerging data, in Australia and internationally, describing paediatric injuries from commercial parks …”

Demographic changes in US trampoline-related injuries from 1998 to 2017: cause for alarm

“…There have been several studies regarding home trampoline injuries (HTIs),6–8 but few address injuries occurring at recreational sports facilities-related trampoline injuries (RSIs), which are increasing with the emergence and popularity of trampoline parks 4 9 10. HTIs encompass all injuries attributable to trampoline games/activities at home, whereas RSIs comprise trampoline injuries that were incurred during trampoline games/activities mostly at trampoline parks.…”

Trampoline-related injuries in children: a nationwide cross-sectional study in South Korea

“…5 Based on these findings, recommendations and regulatory policies to prevent trampoline-related injuries are being made continuously. [5][6][7] As in many other countries, Korea has seen an increase in the number of trampolines and consequently in related injuries. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Consumer Agency in 2013, there are more than 400 facilities with trampolines, and trampoline-related injuries have been increasing steadily since 2010.…”