7 Benefits Of Rebounding For Seniors
Encouraging rebounding for seniors might seem like a crazy idea since many people associate trampoline activities with young children. After all, why would you advise someone with a high risk of injury and limited mobility to jump on a trampoline? I could have never thought to tell my parents and grandparents to start rebounding and that it would actually be good for them.
But hold that thought for a second.
Trampoline exercises for seniors are an excellent way to maximize their quality of life and maintain optimum health. With this in mind, we’ve created a guide on everything you need to know about trampoline exercises for seniors, emphasizing the benefits of rebounding.
Are Rebounders Good For Seniors?
Yes, rebounders are good for seniors. They are safer, smaller, and specifically designed for adults. Moreover, they turn an otherwise physically demanding activity into a low-impact exercise suitable for seniors.
As we age, we start losing brain, bone, and muscle mass. We become more prone to health issues and need strength and cardio training (like that provided by rebounding) to remain healthy. Being a low-impact activity, rebounding for seniors is extremely gentle to the joints (which is precisely the kind of exercise seniors need!).
Benefits Of Rebounding For Seniors
There is a wide range of benefits of rebounding for seniors, ranging from improving cardiovascular fitness to reducing the risk of developing diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Below, we look at some of the benefits of rebounding for seniors.
1. Improves Cardiovascular Fitness
Recent studies have revealed that rebounding is more effective than running for engaging muscles, increasing cardio strength, and reaching target heart rates. Moreover, it reduces fat 50 percent faster and avoids the strain on cartilage, knees, and joints that often befall runners.
2. Improves Balance
Rebounding improves self-assurance, control, and stability on your feet. It helps keep your body aligned and upright by engaging the big muscle group in your lower and core body, hips, and legs that are essential for balance.
With each bounce, your inner ear and cerebellum engage, directing muscles to stabilize you. So, the more you rebound and challenge your cerebellum, the better your balance. Seniors keen on achieving a better quality of life can improve their stability and posture through rebounding.
3. Reduces Back Pain
Rebounding can reduce back pain (Especially lower back pain) in seniors and keep the back strong and healthy. One of the reasons why seniors experience back pains is due to weak core and back muscles. When these muscles are weak, they cannot take the load off the vertebrae and spinal discs. Rebounding builds muscles in the pelvis, hips, and abdomen that are essential for supporting your back and reducing back pain.
Trampoline exercises for seniors can also reduce back pain due to bone loss from osteopenia and osteoporosis. Rebounding alleviates bone loss and helps rebuild bone density. Doing so slows down or even halts the progression of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
4. Weight Management
Rebounding for seniors is a very efficient way to burn calories. Studies suggest that your metabolic rate increases up to 24 hours after rebounding, whether sleeping, working, or relaxing. This allows for a steady and gradual weight loss. Thus, trampoline exercises are essential for managing weight and staying fit.
5. Stress Management
For most people, exercise isn’t the best idea for relaxation. However, rebounding is a great way for seniors to have fun and reduce stress. A short rebounding session can raise your spirits and make you feel like a new person. That’s because it triggers the release of endorphins which create a calming, and sometimes euphoric effect.
Rebounding also increases blood flow to underused muscles and loosens overused muscles. The automatic relaxation and contraction of muscles associated with rebounding improves blood flow and boosts the oxygen level in your body with rejuvenating effects.
6. Stimulates Lymphatic Flow
Rebounding stimulates lymphatic flow in the body and boosts your overall immune health. Common indicators of a poor lymphatic system are flaking skin, drooping eyelids, body odor, bad breath, a crooked spine, breaking nails, or stooped posture. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to take up rebounding to avoid getting vulnerable to illnesses such as cancer and impaired immune responses.
7. Reduces The Risk Of Developing Dementia
One of the most effective ways for seniors to avoid developing dementia is to engage in aerobic exercises that increase their heart rate such as rebounding. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, regular exercise (including rebounding) can lower your chances of developing dementia by 30 percent, and Alzheimer’s disease by 45 percent.
Is Rebounding Better Than Walking?
Yes, rebounding is better than walking. It is a more effective strategy for burning calories and weight loss. While walking can also help strengthen your joints and burn calories, it can only be done at a low to moderate intensity. Rebounding allows for more intensity. This implies that you’ll burn more calories through rebounding than walking for the same period.
Who Should Not Use A Rebounder?
People who should not use a rebounder include those with an underlying medical condition such as a heart problem, joint problems, a bad back, or health issues related to accidents or injuries. Rebounding is perfectly safe for seniors without any of the aforementioned medical conditions.
Final Notes
Engaging in regular rebounding sessions can help seniors improve their overall health. It lowers blood pressure, boosts blood circulation, and strengthens the bones and muscles. Rebounding also enhances oxygen transportation to your blood cells, leaving your body feeling invigorated just like in your heydays.
Unlike most exercises, rebounding doesn’t strain your cartilage, knees, or joints. So, there’s no risk of injury for seniors. It is both emotionally and physically natural and scientifically proven to be a better alternative to running and walking.
However, using a rebounder may not be the best option if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. In which case, you should first consult a physician. Also, rebounding for seniors is one of the best ways to maintain fitness and health while having fun.
