not permitted.

It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on the Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo,
means which may allow access to the Article. The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted. The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted. The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is
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J SPORTS MED PHYS FITNESS 2015;55:730-4

Effects of mini trampoline exercise

on male gymnasts’ physiological parameters: a pilot study
M. KARAKOLLUKÇU 1, C. S. ASLAN 1, A. PAOLI 2, A. BIANCO 3, F. N. SAHIN 4

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Aim. There are limited studies that indicate the effects of 1School of Physical Education and Sports,
trampoline exercise on strength and other physiological pa- Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
2Department of Biomedical Science,
rameters. This study aims to determine whether twelve weeks
of trampoline exercise would have any effects on the physical University of Padua, Padua, Italy

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and physiological parameters of male gymnasts.
Methods. A number of 20 intercollegiate competitive male
3Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit,
University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
4School of Physical Education and Sports,
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gymnasts (as experimental group) and 20 non-athlete male
Ankara, Turkey
(as control group) participated voluntarily. Their anthropo-
metric characteristics and the anaerobic power were meas-
ured and their back strength, vertical jump, standing long
jump and 20 meter sprint performances were measured.
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Results. As a result; whereas 12 weeks of trampoline exer-

cise improved standing long jump (before 242.35±3.40 cm;
cises and, as a result, is improving all components of
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after 251.70±2.95 cm) and also vertical jump, 20 meter sprint physical performances.1-3 One of the gymnastic ap-
speed and anaerobic power of subjects. We did not observe paratus the “trampoline” is a device, which consists
of a steel frame, and a taut piece of fabric stretched
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significant changes on back strength performances (before

148.32±5.73 kg; after 148.10±5.71). over the frame, and connected to the frame usually
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Conclusion. The trampoline exercise protocol improved sig- by coiled springs. The trampoline is used for jump-
nificantly speed, jump and anaerobic performances of the ing and, if large enough, tumbling. It can be used for
experimental group, while did not induced any changes on athletic and recreational purposes, respectively.4-6
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back strength performances. More studies are necessary to Maximum force applied on legs during jumping and
confirm the interesting results coming from this pilot inter-
vention.
landing, also abdominal and spinal activities while
performing somersault might be included to intro-
Key words: Exercise - Muscle strength - Athletic performance.
duce trampoline exercise to training programs in or-
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der to increase performance for different sports.7, 8

Trampoline exercises are useful for teaching diving
L earning of gymnastic skills takes a long period of
time; however it leads the gymnast to gain condi-
tional and coordinative features that are required for
movements like somersault, some track and field and
ski movements; On the other hand, trampoline exer-
numerous sports. Nowadays, many authors are high- cises are used as effective tools to develop coordi-
nation, space-time perception and reaction time.7, 9
lighting that gymnastic training improves the mus-
Repetitive jumping on trampoline may reduce risk of
or other proprietary information of the Publisher.

culoskeletal system and is positively affecting leg

injury and trauma of landing, moreover it is known
muscle strength with vaulting horse and floor exer-
that plyometric exercises can be quite stressful to
the joints and muscles and may cause injuries.10, 11
Corresponding author: A. Bianco, PhD, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli 6, 90144, While many coaches indicate that trampoline exer-
Palermo, Italy. E-mail: [email protected] cise is mainly an aerobic exercise able to improve

730 THE JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS July-August 2015
not permitted. It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on the Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo,
means which may allow access to the Article. The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted. The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted. The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is
This document is protected by international copyright laws. No additional reproduction is authorized. It is permitted for personal use to download and save only one file and print only one copy of this Article. It is not permitted to make additional copies
(either sporadically or systematically, either printed or electronic) of the Article for any purpose. It is not permitted to distribute the electronic copy of the article through online internet and/or intranet file sharing systems, electronic mailing or any other

Mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts’ physiological parameters KARAKOLLUKÇU

aerobic capacity, there are no studies able to confirm was administered 3 times and the best performance
the effects of trampoline exercise on strength, aer- was stored on excel file. Strength, flexibility, mus-
obic capacity and other parameters. Moreover, the cular endurance, balance and agility are the motor
prevalence idea of gymnast’ coaches is that tram- skills that gymnasts should have.12 For that reason
poline exercise has negative effects on strength and in our study the following test were performed: 1)
power. The present study aims to determine whether weight-height measurement: subjects’ height was
twelve weeks of trampoline exercise would have any measured with Holtain (UK) Ltd. height gauge, and
effects on the monitored physical and physiological standing upright position. Body weight was deter-
parameters of male gymnasts. mined with Tefal (FR) electronic scale; 2) verti-
cal jump test: subjects performed vertical jump by
jumpmeter with tied cord to their waist. They tried

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Materials and methods to land to the circular plastic mat on the floor. If
they could not manage to land to the middle of the

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A number of forty volunteers (22.17±1.89 years) mat, the trial was accepted as invalid. Vertical jump
participated to the study. Subjects were organized as performance of subjects was measured by Takei (Ja-
follow: 20 intercollegiate competitive male gymnasts pan) digital jumpmeter; 3) standing long jump test:

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volunteered as an experimental group (EG), and 20 the performers place their feet over the line of the
male physical education students volunteered as a metric platform, crouches down and using the arms
control group (CG). The consent form highlighting and legs and jumping horizontally as far as possi-

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all study details was provided to all participants and
afterwards was signed by all of them. Information
ble and landing with both feet on to platform; 4) 20
meter sprint speed test: the 20 meter straight section
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regarding their diet habits were collected through a has marked at gymnasium and photocells made by
proper questionnaire containing 6 items. Moreover, Cukurova University Engineering Faculty were used
before, during and after training participants’ health to determine time; 5) back strength test: subjects
statuses were monitored by the same physician. The stand upright on the base of the dynamometer with
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exclusion criteria included: 1) subjects with history their feet shoulder width apart. Arms hang straight
of diabetes or other chronic conditions; 2) subjects down to hold the center of the bar with both hands,
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with a daily diet intake less than 900 kcal and more and with the palms facing toward the body. Adjust
than 4500 kcal; 3) subjects who had previous inju- the chain so that the knees are bent at approximately
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ries related to their activity as gymnasts (we applied 110 degrees. In this position, the back should be bent
this criteria only on a case of EG). The experimen- slightly forward at the hips, head should be held up-
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tal group participated in one hour exercise program, right, and should look straight ahead.
three times a week for 12 weeks. In order to avoid Then without bending back, pull as hard as pos-
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long periods of resting, two trampolines were used sible on the chain and try to straighten legs, keep-
in exercise phases. Intercollegiate compulsory–free ing arms straight. Maximum performance will result
competition series were used as training movements. when legs are almost straight at the end of the lift.
In more details, series are consisting of vertical Back strength was measured by Takei (Japan) dig-
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jump, variety of pikes and jumps and somersault. No ital back and leg dynamometer; 6) anaerobic power
exercise programs were applied on a control group. calculation: anaerobic power of subjects was calcu-
They just attended their lessons at University, three lated according to Lewis formula (P=√ 4.9 * W *
times per week (typical practical sessions provided √D) with using vertical jump and body weight val-
by sport sciences schools). In order to increase their ues (P=anaerobic power [kg/s]; √4.9=standard time;
motivations, the purpose of the study was clarified W: body weight (kg); D: jumping distance [m])13;
and possible mistakes that may negatively affect re- 7) calculation of body fat percentage: body fat was
or other proprietary information of the Publisher.

sults were explained to both groups at the beginning measured by skinfold caliper from 7 standard region
of the study. Additionally, EG subjects have warmed- of right side of the subjects’ bodies and estimated by
up for 15 minutes at the onset of each training ses- a Formula already adopted on previous studies.14-16
sion according to the Coaches knowledge in order Biceps, triceps, iliac, scapula, abdominal, pectoral
to increase efficiency. Furthermore, each parameter and rectusfemoris regions were measured. Skinfolds

Vol. 55 - No. 7-8 THE JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS 731
not permitted. It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on the Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo,
means which may allow access to the Article. The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted. The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted. The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is
This document is protected by international copyright laws. No additional reproduction is authorized. It is permitted for personal use to download and save only one file and print only one copy of this Article. It is not permitted to make additional copies
(either sporadically or systematically, either printed or electronic) of the Article for any purpose. It is not permitted to distribute the electronic copy of the article through online internet and/or intranet file sharing systems, electronic mailing or any other

KARAKOLLUKÇU Mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts’ physiological parameters

were measured by Lange Skinfold Caliper (Cam- while the control group values were 21.95±0.3 years,
bridge, MD, USA).16-19 178±1.9 cm, 76.38±1.5 kg, respectively. No differ-
ences were found between EG and CG, in terms
Statistical analysis of age (0.15), height (0.23) and the initial body fat
percentages (0.16); on the contrary, we found a sig-
All data were stored on a proper excel file and after- nificant difference on body weight (0.03) (Table I).
wards were evaluated by statistical software GraphPad Looking at pre-post differences, the anaerobic power
Prism (Ver. 5.0 for windows) through the Wilcoxon sr significantly increased on EG (0.0103) while was
test. The alpha level was set with a p value of 0.05 for showing a reduction on the CG (0.0501). The ver-
statistical significance. The Power of the analyses was tical jump showed an improvement in both groups,
evaluated also with STATISTICA software (ver. 8.0 for but only the EG highlighted a statistical significance

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windows); the power for dependent sample paired test (0.0023). One of the considerable results obtained
(power [P] vs. sample size [N]) showed a value of 0.70 on that study was the standing long jump perform-

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for a sample size of 20 participants. Within the Figure ance of the EG that shown an improvement of 9.35
1, data are reported as means and standard errors. cm (0.0003) (Figure 1). The CG on that parameter
obtained an improvement of 0.35 cm during the

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post-test attempts (0.2389). The 20 m sprint val-
Results ues reported a significant improvements on the EG
(0.0026) while CG reported no positive modifica-

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The experimental group showed the following
values for age, height and body weight, respective-
tions (0.2030). Unexpectedly, the back strength val-
ues of EG unchanged after 3 months of trampoline
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ly; 22.40±0.6 years, 176.40±1.5 cm, 71.06±1.9 kg, exercise (0.4480) (Tables II, III).
Table I.—Anthropometrics characteristics of participants.
Control Group Experimental Group
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Parameters Δ P values
CG EG
Age (y) 21.9±0.3 22.4±0.6 0.5 ns
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Height (cm) 178±1.9 176±1.5 2.0 ns

Weight (kg) 76.4±1.5 71.1±1.9 5.3 0.035
Body fat mass (%) 7.50±0.4 8.46±0.5 0.96 ns
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or other proprietary information of the Publisher.

Figure 1.—Standing long jump performances of participants. CG: control group; EG: experimental group; Before: baseline data; After:
after 12 weeks.

732 THE JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS July-August 2015
not permitted. It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on the Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo,
means which may allow access to the Article. The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted. The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted. The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is
This document is protected by international copyright laws. No additional reproduction is authorized. It is permitted for personal use to download and save only one file and print only one copy of this Article. It is not permitted to make additional copies
(either sporadically or systematically, either printed or electronic) of the Article for any purpose. It is not permitted to distribute the electronic copy of the article through online internet and/or intranet file sharing systems, electronic mailing or any other

Mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts’ physiological parameters KARAKOLLUKÇU

Table II.—Comparison of experimental group pre-test/post-test results.

Parameters Pre-test Post-test Δ t values P values
Body weight (kg) 71.06±1.88 70.20±1.81 0.86 0.33 0.0119
Anaerobic power (kg/m/s) 125.03±3.29 126.72±3.27 1.69 0.36 0.0103
Vertical jump (cm) 63.50±1.53 65.65±1.06 2.15 -1.15 0.0023
Standing long jump (cm) 242.35±3.40 251.70±2.95 9.35 -2.08 0.0002
20 meter sprint speed(s) 2.99±0.03 2.92±0.03 0.07 1.67 0.0026
Back strength (kg) 148.32±5.73 148.10±5.71 0.22 0.03 0.4480
Body fat percentage (%) 8.46±0.54 7.47±0.52 0.99 1.31 0.0037

Table III.—Comparison of control group pre-test/post-test results.

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Parameters Pre-test Post-test Δ t values P values
Body weight (kg) 76.38±1.55 75.44±1.55 0.94 0.43 0.0108

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Anaerobic power (kg/m/s) 129.48±3.37 127.71±3.48 -1.77 0.36 0.0501
Vertical jump (cm) 58.80±1.65 59.15±1.76 -0.35 -0.15 0.2198

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Standing long jump (cm) 243.35±3.47 244.00±3.17 0.65 -0.14 0.2389
20 meter sprint speed(s) 3.10±0.05 3.13±0.04 -0.02 -0.38 0.2030
Back strength (kg) 139.45±6.75 136.75±6.31 -2.7 0.29 0.3074
Body fat percentage (%) 7.50±0.37 6.98±0.34 0.52 1.03 0.0024

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Discussion and conclusions adopted “the philosophy of the trampoline exercise”
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and administered an intervention program in order
The literature supporting the use of trampoline to monitor the motor and balance ability in a group
for increasing of athletic performance is limited. In of school aged children with intellectual disabilities.
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present study, it was obviously found that regular Sinikumpu et al. in 2012 mentioned the trampoline
practice of trampoline developed strength and pow- exercise for home use and discussed about the po-
er parameters. Bhattacharya et al, tested healthy stu- tential risks and the common injuries related to this
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dents and found higher presence of biomechanical kind of activity.8 Sovelius et al. in 2006 compared
stimuli in trampoline when compared to running.20 the effects of two different training methods in re-
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Moreover, in the previous study carried out in the ducing muscular loading during in-flight and cervi-
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USA; after 5 weeks (2 times a week) of mini tram- cal loading testing (CLT). One of the two methods
poline exercises, a significant increase (P>0.05) was was the trampoline exercise. The authors did not
indicated in vertical jump performance in basketball found statistically significant difference between
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female athletes.21 Another study carried out in Bra- the two training programs. They recommended both
zil indicated that 14-week mini-trampoline exercise strength and trampoline training programs to be
increased the plantar-flexors muscle strength “ap- included in fighter pilots’ physical education pro-
proximately” of 10% in elder persons.5 In our ex- grams.7
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perience, after 12 weeks of trampoline exercise, the A part from these three key studies who applied
EG showed relevant differences in terms of standing the concept of trampoline exercise, we did not find
long jump, vertical jump, 20 meter sprint and an- any other studies investigating trampoline exercise.
aerobic power parameters. However, there was no Of interest, other authors highlighted the risk of in-
significant increase at back strength parameters. On juries by practicing trampoline.22-25
the other side, there were no significant differences As previous mentioned, whereas 12 weeks of tram-
in parameters of control group, a part from the body poline exercise improved standing long jump, verti-
or other proprietary information of the Publisher.

weight and the percentage of body fat. As mentioned cal jump, 20 meter sprint speed and anaerobic power
before, there are no data already present on medline of subjects, no significant change was observed on
investigating the effects of a standardized trampo- back strength. At this stage, we have no element
line exercise protocol on physiological parameters enough to make conclusions. This pilot intervention
and performances. Recently, Giagazoglou et al. seems to suggest that trampoline exercises are not

Vol. 55 - No. 7-8 THE JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS 733
not permitted. It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on the Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo,
means which may allow access to the Article. The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted. The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted. The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is
This document is protected by international copyright laws. No additional reproduction is authorized. It is permitted for personal use to download and save only one file and print only one copy of this Article. It is not permitted to make additional copies
(either sporadically or systematically, either printed or electronic) of the Article for any purpose. It is not permitted to distribute the electronic copy of the article through online internet and/or intranet file sharing systems, electronic mailing or any other

KARAKOLLUKÇU Mini trampoline exercise on male gymnasts’ physiological parameters

only efficient for gymnasts; they are also useful for performance in a simulated trampoline gymnastics competition in
elite male gymnasts. J Sports Sci 2013;31:1761-9.
sports (like track and field, soccer, basketball, vol- 13. Keir PJ, Jamnik VK, Gledhill N. Technical-methodological report: a
leyball etc.) where jumping abilities and anaerobic nomogram for peak leg power output in the vertical jump. J Strength
power are important to improve quality of training Cond Res 2003;17:701-3.
14. Kavak V. The determination of subcutaneous body fat percentage
programs. In order to better understand the feasibil- by measuring skinfold thickness in teenagers in Turkey. Int J Sport
ity of the trampoline exercise and the utility of this Nutr Exerc Metab 2006;16:296-304.
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tive accuracy of skinfold equations for estimating body density of
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out from this pilot. 16. Paoli A, Grimaldi K, D’Agostino D, Cenci L, Moro T, Bianco A
et al. Ketogenic diet does not affect strength performance in elite
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17. Paijmans IJ, Wilmore KM, Wilmore JH. Use of skinfolds and bio-

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734 THE JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS July-August 2015