Injuries and Safety

Sprained ankles, broken arms, busted knees! With all of the stunting, tumbling, and even dancing cheerleaders do, people are questioning if the sport has become too dangerous. The majority of injuries were by children 12 to 17 years of age, mostly females. Over the thirteen years studied, hospitals saw more than 200,000 injuries tied to cheerleading, with almost 40% of those occurring to the legs, ankles or feet. The researchers recommend that cheerleading coaches need more education and should receive professional safety training. They also suggest that high schools and cheerleading associations adopt uniform safety procedures. Lastly, they encourage the industry to develop a national database for cheerleading-related injuries so that strategies can be more carefully evaluated. During practice or competition or even just sideline cheering, your hair should be pulled completely out of your face, no jewelry should be worn including hair ties around your wrists, shoes should be worn at all times, and don't build a stunt or tumble without a couch present. Be safe!