Evaluating Paediatric Injury Hospitalisations From Indoor Trampoline Parks Across Australia: A Multi-Centre Study

Abstract

Aim

The introduction and increasing popularity of indoor trampoline facilities has seen increases in the incidence of trampoline park injuries (TPIs), particularly amongst the paediatric population. A challenge to the development of effective injury prevention interventions is the limited study pool of detailed activity and outcome data to provide better understanding of the characteristics of injurious events.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of individuals under 16 years of age hospitalised after TPI from November 2018 to December 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics and TPI characteristics were collected through prospective case notifications from clinicians across Australia, via the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Additional data were collected using retrospective medical record review at two major paediatric centres in Australia.

Results

In total, 48 cases of TPIs were reported: median age was 9.5 years with 28 (58.3%) being males. The most common injury mechanism was a fall on the trampoline (n = 34, 72.3%). The most commonly injured body region was upper limb (n = 27, 56.3%), followed by lower limb (n = 11, 22.9%): all limb injuries involved a fracture. Most patients required operative intervention (n = 37, 90.2%).

Conclusions

The results from this study suggest that serious injuries continue to occur at trampoline parks, and thus remain an injury concern that requires attention. This issue needs to be addressed with consistent application of the Australian Standard, along with other injury prevention initiatives.