The dangers of cheerleading in high school

Cheerleading is an American sport that requires strength, grace, timing, and talent. This activity is done with a group made up mainly of women, but it is not uncommon for men to join cheer teams as well. Animating requires a fair amount of practice, as the routines can be very complicated and take some time to learn and master. It is not uncommon for cheerleading practice to take place several days after school and require the cheerleader to be present at games, sometimes weekly or bi-weekly, in addition to practice.

It may seem unfair, but cheerleaders are not given as much safety consideration as athletes in other sports when it comes to safety. Soccer players are covered in head-to-toe personal safety gear and taught how to take a hit; Gymnasts have mats under them and generally don’t have to deal with the danger of other people’s moving limbs, so why don’t cheerleaders have these considerations? Cheerleading is mostly left out of the safety provisions argument because there are still many schools and spectators who don’t consider cheerleading to be a ‘real’ sport and unfortunately it falls outside of the safety budget.

Dangerous cheerleading routines and moves

While cheerleading may seem like a very “soft” sport to spectators, it is anything but. Cheerleading routines and moves require strength, confidence, and precision – each cheerleader in the squad must possess these qualities to successfully execute the routine. Most moves are performed as a group effort, which means the moves require one or more people to execute correctly. Risky moves during a cheerleading routine include: cartwheels, stunts, somersaults, and pyramids. When done properly on all sides, there is very little risk of falling or hurting yourself; The problem is that high school cheerleaders are not as experienced or strong as those in the college or professional leagues. High school cheerleading teams are full of newcomers to the sport who are not yet mentally or physically fit to perform dangerous routines.

Common Cheerleading Injuries

pulled muscles

back injuries

neck injuries

bone fractures

concussions

How to make sure your entertainer daughter or son is safe

There are a few precautions parents can take to make sure their teens are in good hands when they cheer. The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators outlines basic safety rules for high school cheerleading teams: all coaches should be familiar with these rules and follow them closely. Coaches and team captains should also be aware of any pre-existing conditions, injuries, or medical history your child has that could lead to future injury. If your high school child is injured during a cheerleading routine, you should report it and document it accordingly; All injuries should also be evaluated by a physician who specializes in sports medicine and sports injuries to determine the proper course of action for treatment and recovery. If a doctor determines that a period of sports leave is necessary, this medical advice should be followed accordingly; failure to follow the doctor’s orders after an injury can lead to worsening conditions and, as a result, additional injuries.