Cheerleading Named Most Dangerous Sport for Women
- 11 years ago
Cheerleaders are the victims of about 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries incurred by women in high school and college sports, says the Journal of Pediatrics.
Cheerleaders are the victims of about 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries incurred by women in high school and college sports, says the Journal of Pediatrics.
Between 1980 and 2007 the number of reported cases multiplied over 5 times, escalating from about 5 thousand to nearly 27 thousand.
Over the years, the activity has become less about motivating and entertaining and more about competition and athletic prowess.
Routines often involve gymnastics and acrobatics, and tournaments take place year-round.
Popularity among participants has also skyrocketed, with an estimated 3 to 3.6 million engaging in the sport. A couple of decades ago, only 600 thousand were involved.
Some of them don’t support school teams at all. Their sole purpose is to participate in cheerleading at a competitive level.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging more states recognize the activity as an official contact sport.
At this time, less than 30 state high school athletic associations give cheerleading the distinction of being a sport.
Welcoming them into the sports fold would ensure they have qualified coaches, regulations, and access to the level of healthcare needed to detect, treat and monitor injuries.
Cheerleaders are the victims of about 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries incurred by women in high school and college sports, says the Journal of Pediatrics.
Between 1980 and 2007 the number of reported cases multiplied over 5 times, escalating from about 5 thousand to nearly 27 thousand.
Over the years, the activity has become less about motivating and entertaining and more about competition and athletic prowess.
Routines often involve gymnastics and acrobatics, and tournaments take place year-round.
Popularity among participants has also skyrocketed, with an estimated 3 to 3.6 million engaging in the sport. A couple of decades ago, only 600 thousand were involved.
Some of them don’t support school teams at all. Their sole purpose is to participate in cheerleading at a competitive level.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging more states recognize the activity as an official contact sport.
At this time, less than 30 state high school athletic associations give cheerleading the distinction of being a sport.
Welcoming them into the sports fold would ensure they have qualified coaches, regulations, and access to the level of healthcare needed to detect, treat and monitor injuries.