Recent reports have indicated that it’s not the contact sports of Basketball and Soccer that we should be worried about when it comes to injuries; it’s Cheerleading. I found an interesting report on Fox News’ website and their broadcast show about Cheerleading and its dangers for high school girls and college women. According to the 26th annual report released by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, Cheerleading is the most dangerous sport for women.Cheerleading accounts for 2/3 of all catastrophic injuries (severe or fatal injuries) in high school and college females. The report released from the NCCSIR totaled 103 fatal, disabling, or serious injuries among female high school athletes. Of that 103, 67 occurred in Cheerleading. The report indicated that the next closest number was 9 in Gymnastics and 7 in Track.
Dr. Jake Deutsch, Doctor of Emergency Medicine from Hackensack University Medical Center, attributes the high numbers of injuries to how the sport has evolved. There are much more advanced, gymnastic-type stunts. Since Cheerleading is not recognized as a sport, the safety standards have not been updated as the sport advances. Deutsch remarks that the safety techniques are not regulated and more often than not Coaches or Advisors of the Cheer Squads are not certified.
The percentages for catastrophic injuries for girls in high school were 65% and college women were 67% at the time the report was released. These numbers, for an athletic display not even considered a sport, are dangerously high. Before hearing about the report, I didn’t think anything more than a sprain or strain was to worry about in Cheerleading. This could have been because where I went to high school our girls were not able to do any stunts or pyramids for insurance reasons. They were not covered in the event that some injury would happen so they were banned from fly-stunts. In a few other studies that are out now, some states are requiring the Coaches or Advisors to take certification classes and safety courses. I think that is the first step to having more success in Cheerleading. I now have a new respect for Cheerleaders and what they do.
"Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss, But Leave a Trail of Busted Stuff"
[DMB][Busted Stuff]
Wow! This is really an interesting topic. I am really glad you shared this information and the You Tube link. It reminds me of how President Teddy Roosevelt became involved in the debates about football when so many players died of injuries. Yet, there has been no similar outcry related to cheerleading. This is definitely something that I would like to include in future classes.
ReplyDeleteAs a gymnast i hate when people say that cheerleading is the hardest sport out there. Its not even considered a sport here at bowling green or for many of the schools out there for that matter. All the cheerleaders are doing are throwing themselves in the air and screaming for the ATHLETES! I get so worked up over this because i was a cheerleader for many years and never considered myself as an athlete in the "sport" of cheerleading. Maybe this is because i always had my real sport on the sideline to perform. Yes, cheerleaders do get hurt, but what person doesn't get hurt. Cheerleaders just make a bigger deal out of it than other athletes.
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