Trampolining has long been a favoured activity for kids, and with good reason. It’s great fun, can be enjoyed at any time of year and has many emotional and physical benefits. Kids need exercise for their development – mental as well as physical.
50FLY! Trampoline Club boasts a range of trampolines overseen by trained and experienced coaches. Activities and games are offered on demand for kids of all ages and coaches are also on hand for lessons and training.
What are the benefits?
Kids love to bounce. But there is so much more to this sport. From improving mental health to strengthening core muscles, trampolining is a great way to keep fit while having fun.
Other benefits include:
Happiness: Fact! When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins. These endorphins trigger a feeling of happiness. And of course, happy kids equal happy parents.
Stress reliever: Kids have an awful lot of energy and sometimes any excess energy left over becomes a nervous energy. Trampolining is a great way to release this excess, helping them to unwind and reduce stress – at any time of day.
An all-year round activity: whatever the weather, however high the pollution, kids can come and bounce in a safe environment with clean air provided by state-of-the-art air filters.
Social: dodgeball, trampoball and Aladdin’s flying mat are just some of the games enjoyed at 50 FLY! Kids can interact with old friends, make new friends and play against each other in some healthy competition.
Family fun: Trampolining is not only for kids. It’s a great way to enjoy some cardio while spending time together as a family – either at the weekend, after school or during the holidays. Promenada is home to some excellent family restaurants perfect for a bite to eat once you’ve worked up an appetite.
Anxiety, sensory issues, autism and other special needs
Trampolining has been proven to help children with a range of conditions. Many studies have been conducted to the benefits of trampolining for children with special needs. One such study titled, Effects of trampoline exercise intervention on motor performance and balance ability of children with intellectual disabilities found that children in a 12-week trampoline intervention program showed improvements in balance, motor skills and motivation to exercise.
Anxiety
The endorphins released when trampolining help to relieve stress and therefore help to minimise feelings of anxiety. The rhythmic bouncing often has a calming effect while offering a positive distraction and a new temporary focus.
Sensory stimulation
The movement and focus required when trampolining stimulates the senses and is often a welcome distraction. Trampolines are of particular benefit to children with hypersensitivity to movement and are commonly used in therapy for children on the spectrum or those with sensory processing disorder.
Autism and ADHD
For children with Autism or ADHD, jumping on a trampoline often has a positive effect on their behaviour and impulse control. Trampolining before exams or before a stressful homework task has been proven to improve concentration and focus.
The following three sources explain in detail how trampolining helps anxiety, sensory issues, Autism and special needs:
Using the trampoline takes up to 80% off the stress of your weight-bearing joints which makes it a great sport for physically-challenged kids, or those recuperating from accidents or injuries. It’s also an excellent exercise for those who have been sedentary and are starting an exercise programme. Regular bouncing helps to strengthen tendons, ligaments and muscles that support and surround our joints, which can help to ease the pressure placed on joints in other activities.
Contact 50FLY! here to find out more about our PE programs with Coach and other special services for children.
Benefits to general health
Great cardio exercise. It is proven that just 10 minutes of bouncing on a trampoline is equivalent to a 30-minute run. In fact, according to this study conducted by NASA, rebound exercise is a better and more efficient way to exercise. A summary of the study can be found here.
Helps to maintain a healthy weight. Trampolining is a fun activity which when enjoyed regularly will help children to stay fit and prevent issues such as childhood
Improves Coordination. When bouncing on a trampoline, jumpers have to control their limbs and muscles at the same time. This helps to improve coordination and also increases aerial awareness.
Improves motor skills and balance. Rebounding uses both sides of the body at the same time which improves bilateral motor skills and in turn leads to improved coordination, muscle and dexterity. It also increases kinesthetic awareness.
Improves posture. As well as strengthening the muscles around kids’ joints, trampolining also helps to strengthen the muscles around their spine and significantly improves core strength – both of which are key to improving
Strengthens bones. The act of bouncing on a trampoline helps to strengthen the musculoskeletal system, increase bone density and reduce the risk of serious health issues such as The NASA study (mentioned above) showed that trampolining was the best exercise to rebuild lost bone tissue of astronauts who had lost 15% bone mass and can be used by anyone to actually reverse the damage of osteoporosis.
Protects bones and joints. Trampolining is a low impact exercise – kids’ developing bones and joints are being cushioned upon impact and protected while being strengthened unlike other high impact activities such as running.
Trampolining helps kids sleep better!
By exercising and reducing stress and anxiety, trampolining can also tackle many sleep issues ensuring better nights’ sleep for all. According to a study by the University of Konstanz, the use of new motor skills when trampolining increases the sleep cycle period as well as the duration of REM and slow-wave sleep.
Kids do better at school
Given all the benefits to trampolining, it is no surprise that kids can do better at school after a course on the trampoline. The improvements in core strength, posture, co-ordination, motor skills and concentration have long lasting benefits to all areas of school and home life. The circulation of blood and oxygen to the brain through bouncing on a trampoline is great for focusing the mind, increasing concentration and improving memory.
And Finally….
Once your children start trampolining, they will reap the benefits. Come and visit us at 50FLY! one of the few indoor sports areas in the city. As pollution levels continue to rise in Chiang Mai, escape the bad air for a few hours of fun. Please check out our Facebook page for more information and photos.
