A trampoline is a recreational and gymnastic instrument made from a piece of tight and strong fabric stretched over a steel frame. The steel frame uses coiled springs to make way for a rebounding force, which makes a person jump much higher than the usual. The fabric that is used in a trampoline is not elastic. Instead, the springs connected to the steel frame are the source of elasticity.
In 1934, George Nissen and Larry Griswold built the first modern trampoline. Nissen was a gymnastics and diving athlete while Griswold was a gymnastics team tumbler. They got the concept of a trampoline when they saw trapeze artists who used a tight net in their performance. Their invention was first used to train tumblers but it became popular over time. The term Trampoline was derived from the Spanish trampolín, which means diving board. Eventually, Griswold and Nissen established the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company in 1942, which marked the beginning of commercial trampolines.
An interesting fact about the trampoline is that during the Second World War it was used in the spatial orientation training of the pilots and navigators who attended the United States Navy Flight School. The post-war period saw the trampoline as an essential part of the development of the space flight program. During this period the American and Soviet astronauts used the trampoline as the instrument in simulating variable flight body positions.
In time, the use of the trampoline became a gymnastic sport. During the 2000 Olympic Games, trampolining was already included as a major event. The sport has already become a popular sports event these days. A typical trampolining tournament features a display of multiple somersaults and twists while bouncing up to ten meters. Another sport called slam ball also uses trampolines. Slamball is actually a sport that is related to volleyball and basketball.
The other sports that also use trampoline include gymnastics, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, diving, wrestling, and water skiing. The use of trampolines is an essential part of the athlete’s physical exercises and practice before the actual sports event.
As the trampoline is a multi-purpose device, you can also use it as a source of enjoyment and fun for your children. But you must remember to always supervise them when they are bouncing in order to avoid accidents. Make sure that you set up the trampoline in a wide or open area so that children will not crash into sharp or hard edges, which can harm them. Another thing to remember is to advise the children to bounce on the trampoline one at a time.