Jumping For Pelvic Joy!
A Surprising Way to Support Your Pelvic Floor
There are so many ways to improve pelvic floor health, but here’s one I bet you haven’t heard about before: jumping on a trampoline.
That’s right: strange as it sounds, jumping off the floor can potentially help your pelvic floor.
What the Research Says About Trampolining
A 2022 article in The New York Times looked at the many benefits of trampolining, interviewing Dr. John Porcari, a former sports and exercise science teacher and trampoline study researcher. He told the Times that trampolining is great for balance and for strengthening foot, ankle, and calf muscles.
“Another small study,” said the Times, “… suggested that jumping on a mini trampoline can specifically improve dynamic balance, the type of balance required when you’re walking, climbing stairs, or standing in place.”
The best part for those who aren’t a fan of intense exercise? Trampolining is the equivalent of running approximately six miles in an hour, yet Porcari’s study participants didn’t feel like they had worked out that hard.
The Times also reflected on a study that showed postmenopausal women experiencing improved urinary continence after three months of working out for a half-hour three times a week on a mini trampoline.
Real Experiences: Pelvic Floor Benefits
Author Priyankaa Joshi explores trampolining’s benefits in her article for Good Housekeeping UK: “I Replaced Running With a £40 Fitness Trampoline – My Joints Hurt Less and My Pelvic Floor Feels Stronger.”
Joshi quotes personal trainer Sarah Campus as saying that trampolining in a low-intensity manner “can help build awareness and coordination of the pelvic floor, especially when paired with good posture and breath.” Joshi said she felt “more confident” about using her pelvic floor muscles when on the trampoline.
Choosing the Right Trampoline Matters
However, you should be careful about which kind of trampoline you buy.
Hundreds of thousands of injuries happen each year due to trampoline activity. The Cleveland Clinic and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise against big backyard trampolines for the general population due to their high injury rate. It’s the indoor mini trampolines designed for just one person, also called rebounders, that are the kind you should use.
WebMD recommends that you “check whether the trampoline comes with features like safety pads on the metal frames and springs. Netting is essential to prevent falling off of the trampoline. Having a ladder helps people get onto the trampoline easily. Turn the paddings over at regular intervals to prevent wear and tear and limit sun exposure on each side.”
Is Trampolining Right for You?
And remember: trampolining may not be for everybody. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. And even if your doctor approves, if it doesn’t feel right for you for whatever reason, back off. There are many other ways to help the pelvic floor.
For those who do enjoy it, it’s worth pursuing, because when you jump on a trampoline, you might be defying a lot more than just gravity.
Learn anything from this blog? Check out my previous blog How To Handle A Real Pain In The Butt!