Even though trampolines were an essential part of soldier training during World War II
, and have been recommended by doctors and exercise experts for many years as a low impact way to lose weight and strengthen core muscles, it wasn't until the year 2000 that the Olympic Committee officially recognized trampoline jumping as a sport. It's also interesting to note that the bouncing action of the trampoline has also given birth to two other non-official sports, Slamball and Bossaball. These sports are based loosely on basketball and volleyball, except they are performed on the bouncing surface of a trampoline mat.