According to a report published in the "Journal of Athletic Training," emergency rooms around the country attended to more than 20,000 cheerleading injuries in 2007. This is a large jump from the previous report, filed in 1980, when the injuries were just under 5,000. Cheerleading has grown considerably since the 80s and now is a more gymnastic-based sport, with dangerous jumps, twists and other stunts increasing the risks.
Statistics
An article in "The New York Times" cited a 2008 report by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research saying cheerleading injuries account for two-thirds of all the serious injuries among young female athletes. Of the 103 high school catastrophic injuries and fatalities analyzed on the report, 67 were connected to cheerleading. Second highest was gymnastics, with nine serious injuries. At the college level, there were 39 catastrophic injuries analyzed, of which 26 were cheerleading injuries.
Types of Injuries
Most of the risks of cheerleading have to do with small injuries, such as twisting an ankle or straining the back. Cheerleaders who perform flying stunts, twists and flips have a greater risk of more serious injuries. According to a 2008 article in the "Washington Post," cheerleaders also have suffered serious injuries, such as fractured vertebrae, ruptured spleens and paralysis. Deaths are not common but do happen.
Who is at Risk
According to the 2008 report, most serious injuries happen during high school cheerleading. College and competition cheerleading have smaller numbers. Most of the injuries are connected with females, since they make the bulk of cheerleading squads. Of the more than 97,000 high school cheerleaders entering competitions every year, only about 2,000 are male.
Minimizing Risks
The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research issues a list of safety recommendations to help lower the risk of injuries for cheerleaders. For example, many of the injury risks are associated with training without safety mats to help cushion landings. The center also recommends banning mini-trampolines as part of cheerleading stunts and nevering performing pyramids over two-people high without proper spotting.
References
- Science Daily: Risks of Cheerleading: Two-Thirds Of Severe Sports Injuries To Female Students Due To Cheerleading
- "The New York Times"; Injury Risk for Girls Not Much to Cheer About; Tara Parker-Pope; September 2008
- "The Washington Post"; Rooting for Safety; Bob Stein; September 2008
- The Sport Digest; Cheerleading Injuries and Safety; Frederick O. Mueller, Ph.D.; December 2009
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