Negative Side Effects Of Rebounding

If you’re looking at taking up trampolining but are worried about the negative side effects of rebounding, then today’s article should be right up your street.

Exercise is important for a whole bunch of different reasons.

We need exercise for health reasons, we need it to lose weight, it improves mental health, and it can also be fun as well.

While some forms of exercise are more enjoyable than others, it has to be said that bouncing on a trampoline, also known as ‘rebounding’, is one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise you could wish for.

Rebounding is not only enjoyable, but it also offers a wide range of benefits.

Not only is it a great form of cardiovascular exercise, but it also helps to improve coordination, leg strength, explosive power, and a whole lot more, exactly like doing jumping squats.

People young and old, big and small, experienced and novice, can take up rebounding, and it’s never too late to get started.

One thing that people do worry about, however, is the possible side effects.

Is Rebounding For Everybody?

Despite rebounding being suitable for a wide range of different people, that does not mean that everybody should use a rebounder.

Rebounding is suitable for older people in general, though there are of course some exceptions.

If you happen to be aged 50 or over and suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions such as joint issues, back issues, hip issues, circulatory issues, or mobility issues, bouncing on a rebounder may not be suitable.

If you are concerned about any pre-existing medical conditions, or if you fit the above criteria and are worried about using a rebounder, make sure you speak to a medical expert beforehand.

They can check your medical history and can then advise you.

Rebounders/trampolines do indeed absorb force when you land on them, but if you have joint issues such as osteoporosis or arthritis, this can then lead to a great deal of pain and discomfort, and nobody wants that, right?

Get a medical opinion, use ankle/knee supports if necessary, and above all else, listen to your body.

If you start rebounding and you experience any pain or discomfort, cease bouncing and jumping immediately, as this could lead to further problems.

What Are The Negative Side Effects Of Rebounding?

As hugely beneficial as rebounding is, that does not mean that it is not without its risks.

Sure, rebounding is fun, it’s something different, and it’s a great way to get in shape, but like anything, there are risks as well.

Before you take up rebounding, make sure you familiarize yourself with these possible negative side effects.

Rebounding May Be Bad For Your Bladder

Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that different people react to the negative side effects of rebounding in different ways.

One of the most commonly reported side effects of rebounding is bladder issues. When you bounce up and down on a mini trampoline for a prolonged period, this can weaken your bladder and lead to all manner of bladder issues.

Experts have found evidence to suggest that 30 minutes or more of bouncing up and down on a mini trampoline, or a ‘rebounder’ as it is technically known, can weaken the bladder because it can lead to pelvic floor issues.

If you already have bladder issues, rebounding may not be ideal as it could potentially lead to bladder problems and you may find yourself wetting yourself.

It may sound embarrassing, but rebounding could lead to you suffering from bladder issues, and the last thing you want is to pee your pants while rebounding. Or ever for that matter.

Rebounding Could Lead To Nerve Damage

Perhaps one of the most serious potential negative side effects is nerve damage.

Numerous studies have found evidence to suggest that rebounding could potentially lead to nerve damage.

Experts found that rebounders are more prone to nerve damage than people who regularly take part in other forms of exercise.

Rebounding is a high-impact sport, and while the rebounder itself does absorb some of the shocks from each jump, it still causes high-impact force which then transfers energy to the ankles and the feet.

This can then result in nerve damage in and around these areas and can be very painful.

Many types of sports and activities can cause nerve damage so please do not think that rebounding is the worst, because it isn’t.

There is even evidence to suggest that gentle rebounding can strengthen damaged nerves.

Damaged nerves can cause pain and discomfort, numbness, and tingling sensations. Physiotherapy can help, and some physiotherapists do recommend gentle rebounding for rehabbing damaged nerves.

Extreme rebounding, however, could lead to nerve damage so make sure you consider that.

Rebounding Could Be Bad For The Ankles

Let’s face it, when talking about the potential side effects of rebounding, the ankles are likely to be one of the most commonly affected parts of the anatomy, and for good reason.

When you rebound on a mini trampoline you are constantly putting pressure on your ankles with each jump.

Each jump puts them under that little bit more pressure and if you aren’t careful, you run the risk of all manner of ankle injuries.

Rebounding can cause nerve damage as we previously mentioned, plus you also run the risk of spraining your ankle, or even potentially breaking your ankle if you land wrong or awkwardly.

People who regularly rebound on a mini trampoline often find that they experience ankle issues.

Rebounding can cause ligaments in the ankles to stretch or even snap, this can be incredibly painful and can lead to ankle swelling as well as pain and discomfort.

Ankle fractures, sprains, and tears are all common rebounding injuries and they can take several months to fully heal.

A great way of minimizing the risk of a rebounding ankle injury is to land on the heel of your foot and to try not to land flat-footed, or overly forceful.

Rebounding Can Lead To Muscular Imbalances In The Back

Another of the more common side effects is muscular imbalances in the back.

Studies have found that rebounding may lead to imbalances of the back muscles, which can lead to posture issues, pain and discomfort, imbalances in general, mobility issues, and much more.

Even though rebounding is a great form of physiotherapy and is often used as a way of helping to recover from injury, there is also evidence to suggest that rebounding can lead to issues relating to the back.

Because you cannot control your posture when you jump, and indeed, when you land, this can sometimes lead to muscular imbalances because different parts of your back are worked so different muscles are activated.

If you are already suffering from muscular imbalances in the back, or back issues, rebounding may not be suitable for you.

Rebounding May Damage The Nervous System

Another possible side effect of rebounding that will need to be addressed is the fact that it may damage the nervous system.

Now, before you read any further, we have to stress the fact that we said that it may damage the nervous system, but it is certainly not guaranteed to.

Your nervous system can be affected by all manner of health issues and injuries, including back injuries and sporting injuries.

Some studies have also found that prolonged bouncing on a mini trampoline, also known as a rebounder, may also lead to possible nervous system damage as well.

Too much bouncing and jumping on a rebounder can lead to nervous system issues, though in a somewhat ironic twist, it has also been found that gentle rebounding can help assist with nervous system recovery after an injury.

A nervous system injury can affect your entire body and can have a knock-on on effect your other major organs and your extremities too.

Try to limit the amount of rebounding that you do, and if you are suffering from any pre-existing nervous system issues, it might be best to avoid rebounding entirely.

Rebounding May Be Bad For Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are unsightly for a lot of people and leave people feeling self-conscious about their appearance.

This is why there is so much concern regarding the side effects when it comes to varicose veins.

A lot of people are concerned that jumping up and down on a rebounder may cause varicose veins because it may stretch out the vascular system.

Varicose veins can look unsightly, so it’s reasonable for people to worry.

But can rebounding cause varicose veins, or at least, make them worse?

Varicose veins are mainly caused due to a lack of elasticity within the walls of the veins.

This can be caused by heavy lifting, genetics, being overweight, or other pre-existing medical conditions.

Furthermore, prolonged periods of standing and/or sitting can also cause them due to a lack of circulation.

That’s all well and good, but what does this have to do with rebounding?

Well, recent studies have found an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that rebounding could be bad for people with varicose veins, in the sense that rebounding could make them worse.

Because of the jumping involved in rebounding, along with the force from each time you land, this puts more pressure on the legs which can exasperate internal hemorrhoids and lead to more visible varicose veins in the lower body and legs.

Rebounding Could Be Bad For People With Scoliosis

Over the years, there have been several inaccurate reports emerging that have stated that rebounding could cause scoliosis, especially in children.

As more research has been carried out, however, we’ve found that this is not the case at all.

Rebounding does not cause scoliosis.

Scoliosis is primarily caused by genetic factors rather than through physical activity and exertion.

The main concern, however, is that rebounding may cause scoliosis to worsen. This again, is not always the case.

In some instances, rebounding has been shown to help improve scoliosis symptoms though a small percentage of patients have reported that rebounding made their symptoms worse.

If you suffer from scoliosis and you find that rebounding makes your symptoms worse, you should cease immediately and find an alternative form of exercise when you feel able to do so safely and pain-free.

Rebounding May Be Bad For The Knees

If you’ve ever experienced knee pain or a knee injury before, you’ll know right off the bat just how painful and debilitating the injury can be.

Knee pain and injuries can lead to mobility problems and can affect your overall quality of life.

While some people rehabbing a knee injury are instructed by their physios to take part in very gentle rebounding exercises to assist in their recovery, there are concerns that the activity could lead to further damage to the knees, or knee pain or discomfort at the very least.

Research has found that constant jumping on a mini trampoline can cause the kneecap to compress.

Needless to say, the more you jump on the rebounder, the more your kneecap will compress.

Over time, this can cause all manner of knee injuries.

Not only do you run the risk of damaging ligaments in your knees, or suffering from an ACL or MCL injury, but you may also pay the price later on in life.

Some younger people may be perfectly fine rebounding several times a week in their twenties and thirties, yet decades later, once their fifties come around, they may begin to pay the price, in the form of arthritis.

That’s right, rebounding could cause arthritis in the knee later on in life, and take it from us, that is certainly not fun.

Rebounding May Lead To Pelvic Floor Issues

Okay, this next side effect of rebounding may be a little embarrassing to some people, though, in all honesty, it really shouldn’t, as it is just basic biology.

We mentioned earlier how rebounding can cause bladder issues due to how it affects the pelvic floor. Well, now it’s time for us to look at the pelvic floor and rebound in more detail.

Whereas rebounding improves cardiovascular fitness, burns fat, and promotes muscle growth and recovery, it can lead to problems with your pelvic floor.

As people grow older, the pelvic floor may experience more stress and damage, especially if they regularly jump on a rebounder.

There are, however, also several potential benefits associated with bouncing on a rebounder, which relates to the pelvic floor.

Gentle rebounding can help to strengthen the pelvic floor and prevent bladder issues. The key is not to bounce too hard, or too intensely, especially as you grow older.

Rebounding Could Make Existing Degenerative Disc Issues Worse

When people talk about the potential side effects, they will often focus on health issues affecting the back, and for good reason too.

Rebounding can indeed damage the back and cause back issues, though it may also lead to degenerative disc problems as well.

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects the discs in the spine over a prolonged period.

It can lead to immense pain and discomfort, which can be exasperated hugely by jumping or rebounding.

If you rebound with poor posture, there is a risk that it could cause your spinal discs to wear down, though this would take years.

Typically, rebounding does NOT cause degenerative disc disease or issues affecting the spine.

The main concern that people have with rebounding and the discs in the back, however, is that jumping on the rebounder could worsen the condition and cause more intense pain and discomfort, especially if you land in a way that puts more pressure on the back and spine.

The best advice we can give you is to not risk rebounding if you suffer from spinal disc issues, as it is not worth the risk.

Final Thoughts

Okay, so, that brings this look at the negative side effects of rebounding to a close.

So, what do we think?

Ultimately, rebounding is a very safe, fun, and beneficial activity, though it is not without its risks. Rebounding can affect your joints, though it does not cause many issues.

Many of the issues we listed above are exasperated by rebounding, not caused by it.