The purpose of this presentation is to show the true potential of the Bounce Pod, for health benefit, but also on a social level for the users and for any financial body involved in the medical expenses of these users.

The facts and conclusions presented on this memo are based on the project developed and run by Mr. Masato Ikegami and The Japan Care Trampoline Association (NPO) – http://caretramp.or.jp/

Why & How the “Care Trampoline” came to be?

George Nissen, American inventor of the trampoline, knew of the benefits of the rebound activity on the human body. As an active user, despite his excellent physical conditions, he also knew of the limitations and difficulties that trampolines and in particular “mini-trampolines”, present for users with limited physical capacities.

This is why George Nissen developed the Care Trampoline, a.k.a. Bounce Pod: a sturdy, stable and easy-to-access rebounder offering adequate support.

The key to this brilliant design is the support: the arches give a feeling of balance and safety to the user, and the Circular-Hoop, connected with springs to the frame, provides a true and efficient support: being a mix of firmness and flexibility.

The first user-tests were a total hit: from elderly to people with disability, the experience was an immediate success.

Dozens of websites testify in detail that the rebound activity is an amazing type of exercise: it helps with bone density, digestive system, lymphatic system, balance & coordination, … to name a few and more importantly; nerve and brain activity.

The action of jumping, even in its smallest form, stimulates the brain and the nervous system.

Reacting to the motion, the brain sends signals to the whole body as a systematic reflex.

The first attempts

Convinced of the huge potential of the “Care Trampoline”, several companies tried to sell the unit as a product.

Despite the explanations and instructions supporting the sales through websites and brochures, sales were good but below the true potential of the product.

Either the wrong users were targeted, and of course, couldn’t see the difference between the Care Trampoline and a mini-trampoline.

The right users, particularly elderly people, were either worried to use a “trampoline” or couldn’t understand what to do with it.

The break-through

After initially marketing the health rebounders in a traditional way, Mr. Ikegami, took a completely radical approach. Mr. Ikegami decided to promote and structure the use of the “Care Trampoline”. He designed programs and set classes specifically aimed at the elderly population.

Mr. Ikegami first created the “Software”, in the form of series of exercises & routines, but more importantly, he provided a full support for the users.

Considering the unique nature of social activities available as a free program for elderly in Japan, Mr. Ikegami tailor-made his program, so it could fit the requirements and be considered as a possible option within the range of programs proposed by the government to the retired population.

From “feel-good” activity to Health Care Program

The first classes started mid-2016. Initially, Mr. Ikegami set 3 classes in the prefecture of Fukuoka. Classes consisting of 7 trampolines and 24 participants (and 1 instructor) were set in the city owned community centers, with the support of local government bodies.

The classes became part of an official program of activities offered to elderly people (Care Prevention program).

This program is unique in Japan, as the class participants decide between the many activities on offer, but the funding and organization remain in the hand of the local authorities. This means that the support for the program is free for the participants as it is using tax money, and so is paid by the city government and other official organizations.

Each city or town decides every year, if they renew the contract, like they do with all other contractors. The choice of programs is in the hand of the users who decide what is to be kept or not.

In the second year, the program was confirmed, and Mr. Ikegami had 14 classes running.

In year three, the number of classes was of 46, over 6 cities and 3 towns.

Mr. Ikegami anticipates 300 classes by the end of 2019, and 500 in 2020.

The reasons for the success

After almost 3 years of running the program, the size of the population was sufficient enough, to allow for conclusion to be made from the collected data.

1. Popularity with users:

Apart from the opportunity to exercise and improve their daily life, interviews with users revealed that a fundamental aspect of the program was the social interaction.

This un-suspected benefit turned out to be a major component of the success of the program. It affects the users at different level:

– Renewed social life
– End of isolation for some
– Sense of purpose
– Independence from relatives