Developing a mathematical model to predict energy expenditure while bouncing on a trampoline.

Trampolining has become a popular recreational activity, but currently no method exists by which energy expenditure can be indirectly measured while bouncing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce a model to measure energy expenditure while bouncing on a trampoline. To achieve this, the study was completed in two stages. First, a model was developed which calculated the energy absorbed by the trampoline for a known weight. This was achieved using drop tests on a trampoline. Second, the efficiency of energy conversion while trampolining was measured. This involved healthy adults bouncing on a trampoline while energy expenditure was recorded using a gas analyser. The combined datasets from the two parts allowed the formation of a model which can predict energy expenditure while bouncing on a trampoline using only the user's weight as an input. This model can now be used with an on-trampoline measurement method to track energy expenditure while jumping, thereby facilitating the use of trampolines for health and fitness.

Investigating the effect of bouncing type on the physiological demands of trampolining.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether altering the bounce style affects the physiological demands of trampolining. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults completed five, three-minute exercise bouts on a trampoline where; heart rate (HR), V ˙ O 2 (mL/min) and rate of EE (kJ/min) were collected for five different bouncing variations. Results: A one-way repeated measures MANOVA was then used to assess whether significant differences existed between the different bounce types for HR V ˙ O 2 and EE. A significant difference was found ( F 12 , 280 = 20.886, p = 0.0005), so a series of one-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to identify the degree of significance. For V ˙ O 2 ( F 2.421 , 27 = 64.079, p = 0.0005, ηp 2 = 0.7) and EE ( F 2.989 , 27 = 44.979, p = 0.0005, ηp 2 = 0.6). Post-hoc tests found that for both V ˙ O 2 and EE a significant difference existed between the conventional bounce and each of the bounce variates (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: The results from this study indicated altering the bounce style does have a significant effect on the physiological demands of trampolining. The energy expenditure (EE) equation for trampolining can now be updated to more accurately reflect the rate of EE while performing different bounce styles.

Physiological Demands of Trampolining at Different Intensities.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the physiological demands of trampolining, in comparison with treadmill running, using a larger sample size and a wider range of physiological measures, than had been reported in the previous research. Method: Twenty-three healthy adults completed three, three-minute exercise bouts on both a trampoline and treadmill at different intensities. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]), energy expenditure (EE) and blood lactate (BL) were collected for each bout. Results: Results of a two-way repeated measures MANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference between the modalities ([Formula: see text] = 9.3, p <.0005, [Formula: see text] = 0.39). A follow up two-way repeated measures ANOVA then identified that significant differences existed between the modalities for each of the variables; [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 159, p <.0005, [Formula: see text] = 0.88), EE (= 136, p <.0005, [Formula: see text] = 0.86) and BL ([Formula: see text] = 171, p <.0005, [Formula: see text] = 0.89). Subsequent post hoc testing found [Formula: see text] to differ significantly between the medium intensities (p =.01 d =0.6). EE to differ significantly for the medium (p =.003, d =-0.7) and high intensities (p =.02, d =-0.5). BL to differ significantly for the low (p =.04, d =0.4), medium (p =.03, d =0.5) and high (p =.001 d =1.4) intensities. Conclusions: The results from our study indicated that while significant differences do occur between running and trampolining for a given intensity, the trendline associated with each of the variables is similar. Therefore, monitoring the intensity of the session based the percentage of the participant's maximum heart rate, which is commonly used in running, may also be applied to trampolining.