Trampoline History

Trampoline Training During World War II

The trampoline industry experienced rapid growth during World War II when trampolines were successfully used in the aerial awareness training of pilots. During World War II, trampoline training was an integral part of the physical training program for United States Naval Aviation cadets. Trampoline training was among the 12 activities selected by the Navy to contribute to the overall aims and purposes of the Naval Aviation training. In the Naval Aviation program, sports were not used for their own sake or for recreational purposes. Rather, the sports embodied in this program were selected for what they contributed to the development of desirable characteristics in the aviation cadet, specifically, mental and physical conditioning.

Thousands of Naval cadets took part in trampoline training at three Naval Pre-Flight schools throughout the United States (Athens, Georgia; Iowa City, Iowa; and St. Marys, California). The Naval Aviation Physical Training Manual, issued by the Aviation Training Division of the U.S. Navy, 1944, stated the following objectives for trampoline activities:

To Provide Aerial Orientation

1. Reduce fear of being upside down, of falling or revolving in midair.
2. To afford practice in relocation after body revolutions and in sensing relocation while revolving in various positions.
3. To learn balance and body control while in the air.
4. To develop oneness with the plane.
5. To acquire self-confidence in the air.

To Aid in Effective Conditioning

1. Vigorous developmental exercise for the legs.
2. Muscle tension, both continuous and alternating, in the arms, shoulders, trunk and abdomen, are involved in the arm lifting and circling, and body-control movements of bouncing.
3. Muscle stretching and the alternate working of antagonistic muscles.
4. Contributes to increased vital capacity and increased fatigue-recovery ability.
5. To aid in the development of coordinated, well-timed and rhythmical movements.

U.S. Navy Lieutenant, Newt Loken, demonstrates trampoline skills to the crew members of the U.S.S. Prince William during World War II. As Fitness Director for the ship's crew, Loken convinced the Navy to include trampoline in it's fitness activities. This was said to be the only trampoline in the entire Navy fleet. (from The Naval Aviation Physical Training Manuals: Gymnastics and Tumbling; The United States Naval Institute; 1944).