Citation

Eager DBM, Scarrott C, Nixon J, Alexander K. J. Paediatr. Child Health 2012; 48(7): 577-581.

Affiliation

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaDepartments of Mathematics and Statistics Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1440-1754.2012.02426.x

PMID

22404557

Abstract

Aim:  In Australia, trampolines contribute approximately one-quarter of all childhood play-equipment injuries. The purpose of this study was to gather and evaluate injury data from a nontraditional, 'soft-edged', consumer trampoline in which the equipment injury sources have been designed out. Methods:  A survey was undertaken in Queensland and New South Wales. The manufacturer of the nontraditional trampoline provided the University of Technology, Sydney, with their Australian customer database. Injury data were gathered in a pilot study by phone interview, then in a full study through an email survey. Results from 3817 respondents were compared with earlier Australian and US data from traditional trampolines gathered from emergency departments. Results:  A significantly lower proportion of the injuries caused by falling off or striking the equipment was found for this new design when compared with traditional trampolines both in Australia and in the USA. The age of children being injured on trampolines in Australia was found to be markedly lower than in North America. Conclusions:  This research indicates that with appropriate design the more severe injuries on traditional trampolines can be significantly reduced.

Language: en