A Simple & Fun Form of Exercise
A popular trend across social media for quite some time now, daily use of a rebounder with one hundred jumps to promote wellbeing has influencers raving about its effectiveness. But does it truly boost joy and happiness on a meaningful level? In this post, we will separate fact from fiction and examine the benefits of daily rebounding that are based in solid science. Let’s begin!
Rebounding 101
If you aren’t familiar with rebounders, they’re mini trampolines used specifically for exercise and fitness. It was developed back in the 1930s, but didn’t come into the forefront of popularity until NASA utilized rebounders in the 1980s for returning astronauts to help build back bone density and muscle mass that was lost while they were in zero gravity. After researching different forms of exercise, NASA found rebounding made the body work harder — this helped the astronauts to counteract the effects of space more quickly once they were back on earth. NASA also discovered a multitude of other benefits, which we will explore next.
The Benefits
The main appeal of rebounding for adults is that it’s just plain fun — think: the childhood joy of bouncing on your backyard trampoline. But it’s much more. The NASA study from the 80s confirmed that a quick 10 minutes of rebounding was 68% more effective than 30 minutes of traditional jogging.1 In our current age, where time is often in short supply, this is a definite perk.
Granted, it was a small study with only eight participants between the ages 19-26. But the results are impressive. The group was split into two sections — one that walked and ran on a treadmill at four different speeds and another that jumped on a rebounder at four heights. The researchers measured oxygen uptake, acceleration levels, and heart rate. They found that both rebounding and those using the treadmill had similar heart rates and oxygen uptake. However, those rebounding worked 68% harder with more active joints and muscles than the running group — yet the heart and lungs of both groups were operating at the same level. The study also found that oxygen utilization in the rebounding group was more than twice as efficient as those running on the treadmill. Recovery times were faster as well.
Rebounding is also a form of resistance training due to the G-force action of the exercise. You’re working against gravity, which is ideal for building strong bones and muscle mass. A study published in the Journal of Health and Sport Science found that professional female trampolinists have greater bone density and bone and muscle strength than non-trampolinists.2 For the average person, as little as 10 minutes of rebounding three days a week can improve bone strength and density in postmenopausal women. This is a significant benefit as women are especially vulnerable to weakened bones after menopause due to the drop in estrogen.
Importantly, rebounding is a low-impact workout that won’t overly stress your joints. This is beneficial for all of us, but particularly those who are older and may be struggling with joint and mobility issues. What’s more, another study found rebounding is an outstanding option for those with neurological conditions that can impact balance and mobility — including multiple sclerosis, intellectual disabilities, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injury.3 To be safe, use a rebounder with a handle bar for stability while you jump, especially if you have balance issues.
While all of this is well and good, the question remains: will rebounding boost your happiness and mental well-being? Possibly, but there is no hard and fast science to back it up. Beyond the childlike joy of bouncing on a mini-trampoline, rebounding also triggers the release of endorphins, those feel-good neurotransmitters that play an essential role in happiness, stress relief, and mental-emotional wellness. But rebounding isn’t a magic bullet to neurotransmitter bliss in and of itself — any type of aerobic exercise will give you this boost. What sets rebounding apart from other forms of exercise is exactly what we covered above: it’s a quick workout with high-yield results, easy on the joints, and fun!
Natural Balance for Everyday Wellness
If you are seeking another level of support in addition to a healthy rebounder habit, our convenient Lemon Balm Tincture is an outstanding option. Traditionally used to soothe stress and promote relaxation, lemon balm also helps support healthy digestion, restful sleep, and a balanced mood. Here are several key benefits:
- Helps brain function
- Soothes ADHD symptoms
- Helps balance blood sugar levels
- Helps protect against oxidative stress
- Enhances sleep quality
- Known to assist with Dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s
- Anxiolytic (soothes anxiety) and helps calm the body and mind
- Antioxidant properties help protect nerves
- Encourages GABA production, a calming neurotransmitter that helps to soothe anxiety and stress
CALMING & SOOTHING
“Lemon balm is always helpful after a stress filled day at work. When I get home I feel like I’m in flight or fight mode and just tense. This calms my central nervous system, calming my fight or flight response. It helps aid in a nap after work or sleep before bed or simply just not having aggressive feelings of a type of outbursts or frustration towards my loved ones. Basically it’s calming and soothing to those stressed out.” -Staci
Lemon balm is an absolute powerhouse for brain, mind, and mood support. It’s my go-to herb for reducing stress and anxiety, while also helping to support clarity and focus. If you would like an all-natural way to soothe stress, support sleep, and bring balance to your day — visit my apothecary and experience the power of lemon balm for yourself!
Nicole Apelian
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
Lemon Balm Tincture
References
- https://www.reboundtherapy.org/edu/root/rebound%20therapy%20study%20and%20research/NASA_Studies_Rebounding.pdf
- Burt, Lauren A et al. “Competitive trampolining influences trabecular bone structure, bone size, and bone strength.” Journal of sport and health sciencevol. 5,4 (2016): 469-475. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2015.01.007
- Okemuo, Adaora Justina et al. “Effects of rebound exercises on balance and mobility of people with neurological disorders: A systematic review.” PloS one vol. 18,10 e0292312. 5 Oct. 2023, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0292312
