Why trampolines are good for our children
Did you know that when a nation, we are now so inactive that three out of 10 children is either overweight or cool? Only 75 percent of children get the recommended hour of exercise a day. And it has also been proven that parents consistently overestimate the activity levels of their children – Fact. Our children are on average see a screen for more than a staggering five hours a day. Vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children – often caused by lack of daylight – is increasing. A lack of outdoor exercise are also causes an increase in asthma among children. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer, heart and liver diseases and diabetes and see a lot of television is linked to an increase in weight levels and attention problems in school.
Healthier children have been shown to do better in learning and in life and encourage healthy habits are not only crucial for the nation's health but also for his bank balance. After all, unless we break the obesity problem now that the cost to treat the resulting health problems can be horrendous.
Given these startling facts, it is no surprise that the government this year launched a £ 9,000,000 Change4Life initiative in an effort to make our nation – and especially our children – fitter. Television advertising begins in July with families then being offered tailor-made 'action' plans.
So what can we do as parents to make sure our kids stay healthy? Now increasingly by the government, celebrity role models, dietitians and health advocates promote trampolining as an ideal recreational activity for children. Labour MP Ed Balls have said that offer trampolining in schools is a great way to increase girls' participation levels in sport, so often they lag behind boys. Footballer and presenter of "Fat Kids' Ian Wright also favors trampolining in his book 'Fitter Families'. The British Heart Foundation supports trampolining in his" Get Kids on Go 'campaign and Bristol University's Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences, Ken Fox, writing for the NHS, recommends it as a way to get "active with your children "so that parents can participate and have some fun as a family and a good example.
As Swansea Trampoline Club Coach Andrew Sivertson says: 'Trampolining is great for kids because it's fun, it's different and it is easier to encourage children to do exercise if it is fun and keep them interested. Participating in a club is also a social event, and sports is increasing. "And while some parents are still cautious about the safety aspects, many are coming around the benefits. As Pauline Kent from Norwich said: "I was skeptical, but my four children love the trampoline and it has helped one of his asthma, the other with his weight and the last two just go out loads more, so they are not on the Playstation so much. "As Andrew Jardine, director of Atlantic Trampolines says: 'Many parents tells us that buying a trampoline is the best investment they ever made because the hours of fun it offers children. It is also ideal for children who are overweight, who may feel that conventional sports are not for them. '
Studies conducted by NASA – which uses trampolines to train its astronauts – Shows that trampolining is "the most effective form of exercise yet devised by human beings'. It shall exercise all areas of the body and is more effective than sit-ups to strengthen your stomach and burn more calories per hour than jogging. It is also the most gentle aerobic exercise you can do apart from swimming, which is why it is ideal for overweight children (and adults) and people with common problems. By stimulating the lymphatic system that helps rid the body of toxins too, so potentially it could help children catch fewer errors too.
And not only is trampolining a great fitness tool for healthy children, it is also used to treat a wide range of specific health problems. Children get fit clubs use trampolines to help children move unwanted pounds. Specialists Health camps user trampolining for children with ADHD. Parents of children with muscular dystrophy use them to try to keep their child's muscles strong. And using of the unique properties of a trampoline is trained therapists also able to help develop balance, movement, fitness, communications and many other skills in children with mild to severe physical disabilities, including autism.
Safety Tips
So if you decide to buy a trampoline, to know and comply with trampoline safety rules is essential to prevent accidents. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued a set of guidelines for families (see www.atlantictrampolines.co.uk / template / security , but the main points that remember are:
1) Only one person should be on a trampoline at a time
2) The trampoline must be properly maintained and any damage promptly repaired
3) Under 6s have to take extra care as they are most likely to get hurt
4) There should be responsible supervision at all times
5) A safety net should be used and children should not jump on or off the trampoline
6) Stunts should avoided
7) Go to a club it is advisable to learn the basics correctly
For a complete list of local clubs nationwide see www.nightflyer.co.uk or call your local recreation center as many run open classes for both children and adults.
Games for children
And to help keep your children's interest in trampoline, why not propose following games:
Simon Says
One person outside the trampoline yelling out various instructions and trampolines performing these actions such Simon says hop on one leg, Simon said lands on our bottom, Simon says jump up and clap your hands.
Follow me
A child starts out making a move, as the second child will then copy. Further moves are added one at a time to make a routine, and when the other child not to copy the routine exactly he is out and it is his turn to create a routine.
Call Around Rosy
This game is a favorite with young children. They sing: "Ring around the rosy, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!" and they will have great fun to fall down. In reality, many small really just enjoy nature and singing and dancing on the trampoline.
Buy a trampoline
For help and advice on the trampoline is right for you – or to buy parts and accessories for your existing trampoline – trampoline ring UK Atlantic Trampolines specialists on the bounce castle free number TRAMPO-LINE: 0800 032 5879. Atlantic Trampolines is a member of RoSPA and recently ran the 'Buy a Safety Net campaign in an attempt to cut trampoline accidents this summer.
www.atlantictrampolines.co.uk
About the Author
Atlantic Trampolines have been specialising in garden trampolines since 2005.
The Journey – Bristol
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