The lymphatic system needs our active help to do its intended job. But first of all, what is it? What does he do?
Lymphatic fluid circulates through the body through a network of channels called vessels, and the flow is controlled by millions of valves. It provides nutrients, oxygen and fats and collects waste, toxins, bacteria, parasites and excess fluids. It moves slowly, there is no pump like the heart for our blood; it only moves when the movement of our body stimulates it. If the movement of lymph is insufficient, the resulting effects are infections, illnesses, diseases, and an increase in the rate of the aging process of the body and its organs.
We could imagine an image to represent a malfunctioning lymphatic system. Think of it like a still, stagnant pond or slow-flowing river, where the water is cloudy, full of algae and dead plant matter. Where a well-functioning lymphatic system could be imagined as a network of fast-flowing, crystal-clear mountain streams.
The system plays an important role in disease prevention and in the healing process. Optimal efficiency means stronger cells throughout our bodies and a fully functioning immune system.
Ok, so what help do you need from me and why? Movement is the key. An inactive body means inactive lymph.
Massage is known as a great way to stimulate the lymphatic system, as is exercise. Studies have shown that during exercise, the rate at which the valves of the lymphatic system open and close increases significantly, resulting in a massive increase in lymphatic flow compared to the sedentary state of the body.
At that time, regular exercise is. So are rebounding or trampoline exercises good for the lymphatic system?
Yes, this is what happens. Lymphatic fluid moves up through the vessels, against gravity. The rhythm of continuous bouncing while doing mini trampoline exercises stimulates the action of the lymphatic system, causing lymphatic fluid to circulate throughout the body. The rebound against gravitational pressure causes the valves in the vessels to close. As the body moves downward, the pressure of the lymphatic fluid increases to a level that forces the valves open and forces the lymphatic fluid up through the valve as the mini-trampoline depresses. Then the direction changes, closing the valve again on the bounce up and so on. The continual alteration of speed and direction causes a powerful pumping action back and forth in the lymphatic system resulting in the stimulation of activated lymph to work, doing its job, detoxifying, nourishing and cleansing the cells of the body.
But isn’t the same true for other exercises like running, jogging, or brisk walking?
While they are obviously beneficial and healthy forms of exercise, when it comes to activating the lymphatic system, using a trampoline for trampoline exercises seems to have a greater effect on lymphatic flow. The lymphatic vessels run vertically in the body, hence the up and down movement through a verticalplane while performing mini trampoline exercises impacts the movement of lymphatic fluid more efficiently than exercise involving an element of horizontal movements such as jogging or running. To quote a NASA study, “…for similar levels of heart rate and oxygen consumption, the magnitude of the biochemical stimuli is greater when jumping on a trampoline than when running.” NASA Journal of Applied Physiology 49(5): 881-887 1980.
Aside from the lymph perspective, rebounding has significantly less impact on the joints. The above study also found that G-Force when running is greatest at the ankle, whereas when continuously jumping during trampoline exercises, G-Force is the same throughout the body. The ground doesn’t stretch below surface level, causing your body to gradually come to a stop as your foot lands when you run!
To conclude, mini-trampoline exercises provide valuable benefits for the lymphatic system, and specific studies (from NASA no less) have shown that they do so more than other types of exercise. However, an isolated exercise program is, of course, only one part of a whole, one practice among many that contribute to one’s overall health and well-being.