Injuries in a Competitive Trampoline Population - A Survey of Provincial and National Athletes in Ontario

Abstract

2129 Trampoline debuted as a medal sport inthe 2000 Summer Olympics and Canada was awarded bronze medals in the men's and in the women's individual disciplines. Numerous studies have been conducted regarding backyard trampoline injuries; however, a thorough search of the indexed literature has revealed that there has not been a study that examines the types of injuries incurred as a result of competitive training, under the supervision of certi. ed coaches. As the sport grows in popularity, it is expected that more injuries will occur; coaches and health care providers need to be aware of this growing sub-population of athletes. PURPOSE: To determine the types of injuries incurred by a competitive trampoline athlete population. METHODS: Permission to contact trampoline clubs in Ontario was obtained from Gymnastics Ontario. Permission to contact the athletes of each club was requested from the club's head coach via mail. Fifteen of 27 clubs gave permission to send a package of questionnaires to their athletes; this allowed 183 questionnaires to be distributed out of a possible 275. Questionnaires were sent to each club's head coach, who then distributed them to the athletes. Three hypotheses were investigated with this questionnaire: 1. Insidious onset injuries are more common than sudden onset injuries. 2. Athletes who train 4 times per week or more are more likely to experience insidious onset iinjuries than athletes who train 3 times per week or less. 3. Ahtletes 16 years of age or older are more likely to suffer insidious onset injuries than athletes under the age of 16 years. These hypothesis are being statistically analyzed with confidence intervals, Chi Square, and Pearson's Rho. Questionnaires are still being returned and statistical analysis will then be performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two questionnaires have been returned, giving a response rate of 12%. Prelimary results show that 91% (20 of 22) athletes have experienced some type of injury while participating in trampoline. Seventeen of these 20 athletes (85%) have experienced a sudden-onset injury while 14 of the 20 (70%) have experienced an insidious onset injury. The most commonly suddenly injured body parts include the knee and low-back. The lumbar spine is the most common area of pain in athletes with insidous onset injuries. Sprain/strain injuries are the most common type of injury experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Although statistical analysis has yet to be performed with regard to the 3 stated hypotheses, it is obvious that competitive trampoline athletes are a frequently injured athletic population. This study can be used to further investigate injury risk factors and possibly develop preventive measures and programs.