Effects of a mini-trampoline rebounding exercise program on functional parameters, body composition and quality of life in overweight women

BACKGROUND: Mini-trampoline rebounding exercise (MRE) is becoming a very popular form of fitness training. Despite awareness of this activity worldwide, a limited number of studies have systematically investigated the health effects correlated with MRE training. The aim of our study was to evaluate manifold health outcomes after 12 weeks of an MRE program in a group of overweight Italian women.METHODS: Eighteen overweight women (age 38.05 +/- 10.5 years, BMI: 27.6 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in this study. Functional profile, strength, body composition, quality of life and pain intensity were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of MRE.RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the measurements of anthropometric profile and body composition (circumferences, fat mass, lean and muscular mass). Both a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (from 128/80.5 to 123/71 mmHg, P<0.05) and an improvement in lipid and glucose profiles were observed. At maximal exercise testing, an increase in work capacity (from 104 to 123 watts, P=0.003) and VO2max (from 15.4 to 16.9 mL/kg/min, P=0.04) was found. SF-36 showed positive changes in four of the eight items as well as in the Mental Component Summary. With regard to the Brief Pain Inventory-SF, a decrease in both pain severity and the pain interference score was detected.CONCLUSIONS: MRE appears feasible to ensure positive effects on overall health and can be proposed to populations that could greatly benefit from training programs, such as overweight women.