| Jumping for Health |
In the spring of 1981, 28-year old Samuel J. Kofsky of
Manchester, New Hampshire, a Ph.D. candidate attending the
School of Economics at Dartmouth University, lay in a Hanover,
New Hampshire hospital room, recovering from the surgical
excision of an apparent cyst. Soon after the operation, his
surgeon and an oncologist entered the room and walked
hesitantly to the foot of the patient's bed. The surgeon said, "Sam,
I don't want to shock you, but our hospital pathology department
reports that your biopsy shows you have a connective tissue
cancer. It's a rare form of fibrosarcoma, which develops suddenly
from small bumps on the skin like what I thought was your cyst.
Sam, I'm sorry to tell you that there's an 80% chance it will take
your life within four years."
The oncologist had come along to confirm the young man's
diagnosis and prognosis. Then he suggested further treatment.
Manchester, New Hampshire, a Ph.D. candidate attending the
School of Economics at Dartmouth University, lay in a Hanover,
New Hampshire hospital room, recovering from the surgical
excision of an apparent cyst. Soon after the operation, his
surgeon and an oncologist entered the room and walked
hesitantly to the foot of the patient's bed. The surgeon said, "Sam,
I don't want to shock you, but our hospital pathology department
reports that your biopsy shows you have a connective tissue
cancer. It's a rare form of fibrosarcoma, which develops suddenly
from small bumps on the skin like what I thought was your cyst.
Sam, I'm sorry to tell you that there's an 80% chance it will take
your life within four years."
The oncologist had come along to confirm the young man's
diagnosis and prognosis. Then he suggested further treatment.
| Morton Walker, DPM Published in the Townsend Letters for Doctors |
Soon Sam Kofsky found himself faced with daily radiation therapy and then intravenous
chemotherapy which the late Senator Hubert H. Humphrey had once referred to during a TV
interview as "bottled death!" For graduate student it was devastating treatment routine. He felt
that his body being assaulted, burned, and poisoned.
To sustain himself through chemotherapy, and to believe that he was doing something positive
to help himself, Mr. Kofsky took up exercise of the aerobic type. Aerobics is the steady state of
exercising which, when performed over a period of months or years, develops the
cardiopulmonary system's ability to take in and utilize more oxygen. This elevated amount of
"oxygen uptake" increases cellular metabolism of oxygen molecules as nutrients. Besides
competitive team sports such as football, basketball, racquetball and tennis, aerobic exercises
include speed walking, running, sustained jogging, swimming, rowing, bicycle riding,
calisthenics performed in a specific time frame, and rope jumping.
chemotherapy which the late Senator Hubert H. Humphrey had once referred to during a TV
interview as "bottled death!" For graduate student it was devastating treatment routine. He felt
that his body being assaulted, burned, and poisoned.
To sustain himself through chemotherapy, and to believe that he was doing something positive
to help himself, Mr. Kofsky took up exercise of the aerobic type. Aerobics is the steady state of
exercising which, when performed over a period of months or years, develops the
cardiopulmonary system's ability to take in and utilize more oxygen. This elevated amount of
"oxygen uptake" increases cellular metabolism of oxygen molecules as nutrients. Besides
competitive team sports such as football, basketball, racquetball and tennis, aerobic exercises
include speed walking, running, sustained jogging, swimming, rowing, bicycle riding,
calisthenics performed in a specific time frame, and rope jumping.
As it happens, Mr. Kofsky became intrigued with rebounding, which is similar to jumping rope
except that it's performed on a kind of mini-trampoline (see Photograph 1). Since the jumping
surface of a rebounding device has cushioning spring to it, any jarring to one's ankle joints,
knees, and back is removed. While rebounding, too, a person can work out outdoors or indoors
and simultaneously speak on the telephone, watch television, listen to music, and do other
things. Jumping on the mini-trampoline is the ultimate aerobic exercise able to be performed
anywhere, even in hotel rooms with a carryon, foldable-type rebounding device As he was being
treated with toxic chemicals, Mr. Kofsky engaged in rebounding for his health several hours every
day, including 60 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whenever possible, he carried his
rebounding device out-of-doors to bound under the trees. Also he ate a nutritious diet, took
supplements, and engaged in other exercises for diversity. At regular intervals he swam a full
mile at the local health club, furiously punched the heavy bag, and ran a consistent six-minute
mile over a ten-mile course. His weight plummeted 36 pounds from a high of 193 not from
cancer, but from his strenuous amount of daily exercising.
except that it's performed on a kind of mini-trampoline (see Photograph 1). Since the jumping
surface of a rebounding device has cushioning spring to it, any jarring to one's ankle joints,
knees, and back is removed. While rebounding, too, a person can work out outdoors or indoors
and simultaneously speak on the telephone, watch television, listen to music, and do other
things. Jumping on the mini-trampoline is the ultimate aerobic exercise able to be performed
anywhere, even in hotel rooms with a carryon, foldable-type rebounding device As he was being
treated with toxic chemicals, Mr. Kofsky engaged in rebounding for his health several hours every
day, including 60 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whenever possible, he carried his
rebounding device out-of-doors to bound under the trees. Also he ate a nutritious diet, took
supplements, and engaged in other exercises for diversity. At regular intervals he swam a full
mile at the local health club, furiously punched the heavy bag, and ran a consistent six-minute
mile over a ten-mile course. His weight plummeted 36 pounds from a high of 193 not from
cancer, but from his strenuous amount of daily exercising.
I met Sam Kofsky 120 feet below the ocean's surface at Grand Cayman Island when we buddied during a
morning scuba dive on the North Wall's underwater drop off. Returning aboard our dive boat, he
enthusiastically told me of his involvement with rebounding. I told him then of my having authored a book on
the same subject. We met often during that vacation trip and spoke about other alternative methods of
healing. Our conversations took place in January 1995, and we've stayed in touch since. Kofsky, now age
forty-two, had already lived well past his prior dire prognosis. He attributed the circumstance of his thriving to
his jumping for health and life.
The same time that he took chemotherapy and engaged in his prolonged exercise therapy, the Dartmouth
student finished his doctoral thesis. He is now an assistant professor of economics at a midwestern
university. Dr. Kofsky needs no chemicals for cancer and feels fitter than ever today. Perhaps the
malignancy still lurks somewhere in his body, for once cancer has been present the potential for its return
always remains. Still, this economics professor knows that he has fought it off the best way he could. Dr.
Kofsky continues to rebound and participate in other sports activities.
Rebounding Benefits the Body in 30 Healthful ways
Rebounding is an exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your legs, thighs, abdomen, arms, and hips;
increases your agility; improves your sense of balance; strengthens your muscles over all; provides an
aerobic effect for your heart; rejuvenates your body when it's tired, and generally puts you in a state of health
and fitness.
You can easily perform this exercise in your living room, your office, and your yard. The traveler may wish to
carry a portable rebounder aboard an airliner for use in a hotel room. It's the most convenient, metabolically
effective form of exercise around.
How Rebound Exercise Accomplishes Its Benefits
Rebounding involves aerobic movements performed on a bouncing device that looks like a small
trampoline. It has you jumping up and down for health and fitness. As an ideal jumping device, the mini-
trampoline or "rebounder," has a strong woven mat attached by coiled steel springs to a circular steel
frame. The rebounder usually is round, although some models have been made oval, rectangular, square
or polygonal. The entire jumping surface of the mat is twenty-eight inches in diameter, stands on six legs
with spring coils of their own, which are seven to nine inches high.
morning scuba dive on the North Wall's underwater drop off. Returning aboard our dive boat, he
enthusiastically told me of his involvement with rebounding. I told him then of my having authored a book on
the same subject. We met often during that vacation trip and spoke about other alternative methods of
healing. Our conversations took place in January 1995, and we've stayed in touch since. Kofsky, now age
forty-two, had already lived well past his prior dire prognosis. He attributed the circumstance of his thriving to
his jumping for health and life.
The same time that he took chemotherapy and engaged in his prolonged exercise therapy, the Dartmouth
student finished his doctoral thesis. He is now an assistant professor of economics at a midwestern
university. Dr. Kofsky needs no chemicals for cancer and feels fitter than ever today. Perhaps the
malignancy still lurks somewhere in his body, for once cancer has been present the potential for its return
always remains. Still, this economics professor knows that he has fought it off the best way he could. Dr.
Kofsky continues to rebound and participate in other sports activities.
Rebounding Benefits the Body in 30 Healthful ways
Rebounding is an exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your legs, thighs, abdomen, arms, and hips;
increases your agility; improves your sense of balance; strengthens your muscles over all; provides an
aerobic effect for your heart; rejuvenates your body when it's tired, and generally puts you in a state of health
and fitness.
You can easily perform this exercise in your living room, your office, and your yard. The traveler may wish to
carry a portable rebounder aboard an airliner for use in a hotel room. It's the most convenient, metabolically
effective form of exercise around.
- There are 30 health advantages of regular rebounding, including the following:
1. It increases the capacity for respiration.
2. It circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
3. It establishes a better equilibrium between the oxygen required by the tissues and the oxygen
made available.
4. It causes muscles to perform work in moving fluids through the body to lighten the heart's load.
5. It tends to reduce the height to which the arterial pressures rise during exertion.
6. It lessens the time during which blood pressure remains abnormal after severe activity.
7. It holds off the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
8. It increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
9. It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as the flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
10. It encourages collateral circulation.
11. It strengthens the heart and other muscles in the body so that they work more efficiently.
12. It allows the resting heart to beat less often.
13. It lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
14. It stimulates the metabolism.
15. It promotes body growth and repair.
16. It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
17. It adds to the alkaline reserve of the body which may be of significance in an emergency
requiring prolonged effort.
18. It chemically attains absolute potential of the cells.
19. It reserves bodily strength and physical efficiency.
20. It expands the body's capacity for fuel storage and endurance.
21. It improves coordination through the transmission of nerve impulses and responsiveness of the
muscle fibers.
22. It affords muscular vigor from increased muscle fiber tone.
23. It offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
24. It enhances digestion and elimination processes.
25. It allows for better and easier relaxation and sleep.
26. It results in a better mental performance, with keener learning processes.
27. It curtails fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
28. It minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
29. It tends to slow down aging.
30. It reduces the likelihood of obesity.
How Rebound Exercise Accomplishes Its Benefits
Rebounding involves aerobic movements performed on a bouncing device that looks like a small
trampoline. It has you jumping up and down for health and fitness. As an ideal jumping device, the mini-
trampoline or "rebounder," has a strong woven mat attached by coiled steel springs to a circular steel
frame. The rebounder usually is round, although some models have been made oval, rectangular, square
or polygonal. The entire jumping surface of the mat is twenty-eight inches in diameter, stands on six legs
with spring coils of their own, which are seven to nine inches high.
Sometimes, for people who feel unsteady on their feet or for the elderly,
handicapped, and disabled, a stabilizing bar may be added to the
rebounder's frame (see Photograph 2). It's attached to two of the frame's
legs so that the individual needing more security can hold onto this bar
and still bounce aerobically.
In jumping on a well-made rebounder, the exerciser usually feels
invigorated and filled with a sense of well-being. People who rebound find
they're able to work longer, sleep better, and feel less tense and nervous.
The effect is not just psychological, because the action of bouncing up and
down against gravity, without trauma to the musculoskeletal system, is
one of the most beneficial aerobic exercises ever developed.
Rebounding aerobics is working with gravity to cleanse your tissue cells
and act as an oxygenator, which, in turn, lightens the load on the heart.
Also it's fun to bounce! Much more than fun, however, rebounding provides
a number of physiological pick-me-ups for the person who sustains this
activity for at least ten minutes, four times a day, or for a single daily
session for 40 minutes. As you bounce, your feet hit the mat with twice the
force of gravity. Then just as the astronauts experience while floating in
space, your body is in a state of weightlessness at the top of the bounce.
Jumping on the mini-trampoline is remarkably un-strenuous on the Joints.
There's no solid ground to suddenly stop the bouncing of your feet. Your
movements are perfectly safe, and they make the effect of gravity
beneficial. By working against constant gravitational pressure while
bouncing, you resist the Earth's pull.
handicapped, and disabled, a stabilizing bar may be added to the
rebounder's frame (see Photograph 2). It's attached to two of the frame's
legs so that the individual needing more security can hold onto this bar
and still bounce aerobically.
In jumping on a well-made rebounder, the exerciser usually feels
invigorated and filled with a sense of well-being. People who rebound find
they're able to work longer, sleep better, and feel less tense and nervous.
The effect is not just psychological, because the action of bouncing up and
down against gravity, without trauma to the musculoskeletal system, is
one of the most beneficial aerobic exercises ever developed.
Rebounding aerobics is working with gravity to cleanse your tissue cells
and act as an oxygenator, which, in turn, lightens the load on the heart.
Also it's fun to bounce! Much more than fun, however, rebounding provides
a number of physiological pick-me-ups for the person who sustains this
activity for at least ten minutes, four times a day, or for a single daily
session for 40 minutes. As you bounce, your feet hit the mat with twice the
force of gravity. Then just as the astronauts experience while floating in
space, your body is in a state of weightlessness at the top of the bounce.
Jumping on the mini-trampoline is remarkably un-strenuous on the Joints.
There's no solid ground to suddenly stop the bouncing of your feet. Your
movements are perfectly safe, and they make the effect of gravity
beneficial. By working against constant gravitational pressure while
bouncing, you resist the Earth's pull.
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Dr. White added that jumping for health is more effective for fitness and weight loss than cycling, running
or jogging (see Table B), and it has the added advantage of producing fewer injuries.
or jogging (see Table B), and it has the added advantage of producing fewer injuries.
As illustrated and explained in my book, Jumping for
Health, there are 33 different exercises that may be
performed advantageously on the rebounding device.
Eight popular rebound movements are shown below
(see Photographs 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10).
The gentle bounce of rebounding is effective in
returning natural, regular bowel movements to
chronically constipated persons. The steady bounce
sets up a pulsating rhythm transmitted by the nervous
system to the brain area responsible for regulating the
intestinal system, which reestablishes one's
rhythmical bowel activity. Digestion is improved as
well.
Specifications for the Perfect Rebounder
Depending on the quality, rebounding devices may be
relatively low in cost, especially a department store
model that's no more than a toy. Bouncing on such
poorly-constructed models, usually imported from
Asia, may actually be harmful to one's muscles, joints,
and nerves. There's no yield to them and the abrupt
jarring effect is the same as landing on the floor. My
recommendation is that one should avoid purchasing
these cheaply priced models.
Rebounding devices can be acquired from sporting
goods stores, department stores, by mail order, and in
some health food stores. No one manufacturer has a
lock on the market for rebounders, but some are better
manufactured than others. It's best, perhaps, to
purchase your exercise unit directly from the
manufacturer. (See Resources.)
Most important for excellent rebounding is the mat
material. It should give no stretch during the
downward landing, while at the same time providing a
resilient rebound. Such a mat will be made from
Permatron® material, which has a smooth finish. The
Permatron® is resistant to ultraviolet rays, doesn't
break down as do other fabrics, and allows no
moisture absorption. Part of the specifications for a
perfect rebounder is that its mat will be sewn together
using 5760 stitches of high-grade nylon thread with
two layers of strong polypropylene webbing stitched
around the mat's edges.
Health, there are 33 different exercises that may be
performed advantageously on the rebounding device.
Eight popular rebound movements are shown below
(see Photographs 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10).
The gentle bounce of rebounding is effective in
returning natural, regular bowel movements to
chronically constipated persons. The steady bounce
sets up a pulsating rhythm transmitted by the nervous
system to the brain area responsible for regulating the
intestinal system, which reestablishes one's
rhythmical bowel activity. Digestion is improved as
well.
Specifications for the Perfect Rebounder
Depending on the quality, rebounding devices may be
relatively low in cost, especially a department store
model that's no more than a toy. Bouncing on such
poorly-constructed models, usually imported from
Asia, may actually be harmful to one's muscles, joints,
and nerves. There's no yield to them and the abrupt
jarring effect is the same as landing on the floor. My
recommendation is that one should avoid purchasing
these cheaply priced models.
Rebounding devices can be acquired from sporting
goods stores, department stores, by mail order, and in
some health food stores. No one manufacturer has a
lock on the market for rebounders, but some are better
manufactured than others. It's best, perhaps, to
purchase your exercise unit directly from the
manufacturer. (See Resources.)
Most important for excellent rebounding is the mat
material. It should give no stretch during the
downward landing, while at the same time providing a
resilient rebound. Such a mat will be made from
Permatron® material, which has a smooth finish. The
Permatron® is resistant to ultraviolet rays, doesn't
break down as do other fabrics, and allows no
moisture absorption. Part of the specifications for a
perfect rebounder is that its mat will be sewn together
using 5760 stitches of high-grade nylon thread with
two layers of strong polypropylene webbing stitched
around the mat's edges.
| Table B Total Calories Spent Comparing Jogging @ 5 MPH to Rebounding(2) |
|
Attached to a heavy-grade, all steel round frame
should be an oversize spring mechanism holding
four-inch-long, custom-made jumbo springs which
deliver a soft bounce. Thirty-six springs made of
quality wire will hold the mat to the frame. The
springs should be shielded by a protective cover.
Individual spring mounting pins prevent frame
wear. Tapered coils help to give extended
wearability to such springs. (Untapered coils allow
low-quality springs to break frequently, requiring
replacement.) Replacement springs must be
available directly from the manufacturer since retail
distributors seldom stock spare springs.
The spring-loaded legs should fold for easy
storage under a bed or behind a door. For a
folding rebounder, the frame should fold in half to
be packed into its carrying bag, allowing for
storage in a car trunk.
To jump for health, rebounding devices that exhibit
all of these features of excellence I've been
describing are the NEEDAK® Soft-Bounce™
rebounders. They meet all of these specifications
for the ideal rebounding device. The stabilizing bar
is an optional accessory that is easily attached to
the NEEDAK® rebounder.
should be an oversize spring mechanism holding
four-inch-long, custom-made jumbo springs which
deliver a soft bounce. Thirty-six springs made of
quality wire will hold the mat to the frame. The
springs should be shielded by a protective cover.
Individual spring mounting pins prevent frame
wear. Tapered coils help to give extended
wearability to such springs. (Untapered coils allow
low-quality springs to break frequently, requiring
replacement.) Replacement springs must be
available directly from the manufacturer since retail
distributors seldom stock spare springs.
The spring-loaded legs should fold for easy
storage under a bed or behind a door. For a
folding rebounder, the frame should fold in half to
be packed into its carrying bag, allowing for
storage in a car trunk.
To jump for health, rebounding devices that exhibit
all of these features of excellence I've been
describing are the NEEDAK® Soft-Bounce™
rebounders. They meet all of these specifications
for the ideal rebounding device. The stabilizing bar
is an optional accessory that is easily attached to
the NEEDAK® rebounder.
Resources
Footnotes
1. The chart comes from research performed by Victor L. Katch, Ph.D., Dept. of Physical Education,
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
2. The chart comes from research performed by Victor. L. Katch, Ph.D., Dept. of Physical Education,
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
This article appeared in the July, 1995 issue of the Townsend Letter For Doctors, pages 42 -48.
Copyright Needak Mfg. and Dr. Morton Walker.
Footnotes
1. The chart comes from research performed by Victor L. Katch, Ph.D., Dept. of Physical Education,
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
2. The chart comes from research performed by Victor. L. Katch, Ph.D., Dept. of Physical Education,
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
This article appeared in the July, 1995 issue of the Townsend Letter For Doctors, pages 42 -48.
Copyright Needak Mfg. and Dr. Morton Walker.
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made are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. Please consult with your own
physician or health care practitioner regarding the product information at CompleteHealthNetwork.com.