Rebounding exercise. Are the training effects sufficient for cardiorespiratory fitness?

Additional research is needed in order to document the effects of rebound training. Efforts should focus on the factors that are necessary for standardising the intensity of exercise such as step height and frequency. In addition, attention may be given to alternative methods of increasing exercise intensity while rebounding. One such method may be to increase the total muscle mass involved by adding the pumping of handheld weights to the rebounding exercise. Data from our laboratory (Bishop et al. 1986) has demonstrated that the addition of pumping 1-, 2- and 3-pound (0.45, 0.91 and 1.36 kg) handheld weights, at 2- and 3-foot (30 and 45 cm) heights, to rebounding exercise will increase the oxygen requirement from 26 to 60%. Assessing these effects in a training study would necessitate testing for adaptation in the upper extremities. This type of training highlights the need for activity specific tests. More specifically, additional research is needed to: 1. Determine the energy cost of activities other than jogging/bouncing that may be possible on a mini-trampoline, such as those described by White (1984). 2. Determine the training response of subjects in studies in which the controllable factors affecting intensity are standardised. 3. Examine the effects of longer periods of rebound training. Because rebounding exercise is novel to most subjects, it would appear that the length of training should allow subjects to maintain a reasonable frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise above that needed for familiarization with the new activity. 4. Determine if the prolonged use of other training aids (limb weights) with rebounding is feasible and effective in long term training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)