Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), which makes bones structurally weaker and more vulnerable to breaking.
The benefits of rebounding on bone strength are something that people have promoted for years though until recently, there has been no independent scientific research to confirm the large number on individual reports.
Even before the new research was published, we knew that using our mini-trampoline was an excellent way to combat osteoporosis because the type of exercise performed on the bellicon is exactly the type shown to fight osteoporosis, namely: vertical, weight-bearing exercise. The bellicon produces up to 2-3 times normal gravitational forces, giving every bone in the body the resistance it thrives on. However, unlike most forms of weight-bearing exercise, bouncing on the bellicon is very low-impact, so it’s much more gentle on joints, cartilage, and vertebrae.
Though high-impact exercises, such as jumping rope, high-impact aerobics, etc., are better at increasing bone mineral density, these types of exercises can often be a bad option for older adults, or people already experiencing osteoporosis, joint problems, back issues or lymphedema due to the unwanted stresses involved and the corresponding high risk of injury.
Interestingly, there have been two recent research studies that have focused on bouncing exercise and bone strength. The first was published in September of 2015 and the second just last month:
Study #1:
“A Comparison between the Effects of Aerobic Dance Training on Mini Trampoline and Hard Wooden Surface on Bone Resorption, Health Related Physical Fitness, Balance, and Foot Plantar Pressure in Thai Working Women.”
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, September 2015.
This study not only shows benefits to bone mineral density, it also includes overall fitness-related benefits that may have some correlation to lymphedema.
The study showed that performing the floor exercises on a mini-trampoline:
• Increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption
• Improved health-related fitness, balance, leg muscular strength
You can find an abstract of the study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26529816
Study #2:
“Competitive trampolining influences trabecular bone structure, bone size, and bone strength.” Journal of Sport and Health Science, December 2016.
This study took a reverse approach to the the issue, examining the bone mineral density of people who regularly used trampolines as part of their gymnastic training.
The following quote is from the study’s conclusion:
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate bone density, area, and microarchitecture in female trampolinists. Trampolinists' bone size and strength at both the radius and tibia were higher than controls. Furthermore, trampolinists have denser and thicker trabeculae coupled with a larger bone adding to higher bone strength.”
You can find the full text of the study here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254615000423
If you would like to learn more about how using the bellicon can improve bone density, visit our osteoporosis page HERE.
You can get more information about our wide selection of fitness trampolines and accessories HERE.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.