As NASA reported in 1980: "…for similar levels of heart rate and oxygen consumption, the magnitude of the biomechanical stimuli is greater with jumping on a rebounder trampoline than with running, a finding that might help identify acceleration parameters needed for the design of remedial procedures to avert deconditioning in persons exposed to weightlessness."
N.A.S.A., Journal of Applied Physiology 49(5): 881-887
The NASA investigated the effects of bouncing on a mini trampoline as they found that when the astronauts were sent into space they lost as much as 15% of their bone and muscle mass, so a very effective and efficient methods of exercise were of interest. The finding of the study mean that people jumping on the trampoline can train harder without getting so out of breath.
Other studies have also found benifits in using mini trampolines and rebounders, for example a student study at Nottingham University found that benefits included improved balance and fitness, increased joint range and muscle tone, and improved posture, and relaxation.
Another obvious advantage of exercising with a Bellicon mini trampoline is the low impact nature of the moves. However, while some low impact types of exercise offer little benefit for increasing bone density, bouncing has been shown to increase bone density evenly throughout the body.
There is growing acceptance that proprioception training that improves our ability to sense the position of our joints, improves strength, coordination, muscular balance, and muscle-reaction times as well as reducing the risk of injuries to the knee and ankle. There are several studies to show that using a mini-trampoline or rebounder will increase the user’s propriocetion skills. *1*2
*1 Proprioception Study by Cornell Hospital For Special Surgery, Vijay B. Vad, M.D., Cornell Hospital for Special Surgery, Integrative Care Center
*2 Effect of Six Weeks of Dura Disc and Mini-Trampoline Balance Training on Postural Sway in Athletes With Functional Ankle Instability, Dawson J. Kidgell, Deanna M. Horvath, Brendan M. Jackson, and Philip J. Seymour, The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Article: pp. 466–469, 2007
Pete says: "After badly fracturing my ankle I really needed some serious rehab. The Bellicon Swing is ideal. It has allowed me to progress my proprioception exercises to a new level while also allowing me to regain the strength in my ankle.
I initially bought a cheap rebounder, but using it was noisy and jarring. The Bellicon Swing is amazing though, when I first bounced on it all I could think was 'WOW'. There really was no comparison!. Everyone who comes and tries it agrees. ”
