Cheerleading Injuries
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Cheerleading now is far different from the origination of the sport. Yes, cheerleading is a true sport. It is now a year-round sport that requires a combination of dance, acrobatics, and stunts. It’s far from simply standing in front of the crowd to get them cheering.
The sport is more demanding and competitive than ever! The sport requires continuous rigorous training with the athletes participating in multiple facets of the sport from cheering on their home school sports team to highly competitive travel teams. Competitive cheer has become a year-round sport. Cheer teams practice daily for hours to perfect their routine. Cheer athletes are true competitors.
Cheer stunt team performing
4 Common Cheerleading Injuries
- Sprains and strains account for greater than 50% of the injuries associated with cheerleading. The most commonly sprained are ankles, knees, and wrists. The most commonly strained injuries occur to the neck, back, and hips.
- Back injuries can commonly be seen in the sport of cheerleading due to the forces on the spine with tumbling and stunting requiring twisting and rotational movements. These can create simple muscle strains to more in-depth injuries related to the vertebral column with changes in the alignment of the vertebra creating what is known as spondylolisthesis, and commonly seen with sports involving a repetitive extension of the spine.
- Fractures and dislocations can be seen with regards to the sport, most commonly a result of falling on an outstretched hand or arm leading to an elbow or shoulder dislocation.
- Concussions are possible due to the opportunity of contact with falls associated with tumbling or stunting. Concussions are common for fliers who are at more risk of falling from stunts. A concussion should be fully healed before an athlete returns to the sport.
Common Risks with Cheerleading
There are approximately 567 cheerleading injuries reported in one year. Overall this statistic appears small with regards to the number of athletes participating in cheerleading. It is shown that the majority of injuries occur during practice with most related to stunting and only 24% related to basing and spotting. The more difficult the routine is the more prone to injuries.
Competition cheer team performing a stunt
How to Avoid Cheerleading Injuries
As with any sport, proper warm-up and conditioning are important to avoid injury. It is important before participating in intense sports activities, the muscles should be warm and flexible to reduce the incidence of muscle strains. Due to the skills requiring pretzel-like positions, it is important that the athlete stretches both upper and lower extremities. Coaches should make sure each athlete is spending the beginning of each practice with proper stretches.
Cheerleading is a sport that builds on skills. It is extremely important that the athlete masters the basics and underlying skills before attempting advanced skills. We must learn to crawl before we can walk!
Just like with football and other high-impact sports, proper precautions must be taken to decrease the risk of injury.
What is a Safe Environment for Cheerleading?
Practice areas should be safe and clear, away from walls, pillars, and uneven surfaces that may cause tripping or create an uneven surface for landing tumbling, or stunts. Always be aware of the surface. Cheerleaders participate on surfaces ranging from tracks, fields to gymnastic floors. It is important to modify the skills accordingly to adjust for the change in surfaces.
We often hear coaches and athletes yell “pay attention” when participating in sports. Cheerleading is no different. It is important to pay attention to your surroundings. Oftentimes, you have some athletes tumbling in one direction and others stunting in a different direction. It is important to be aware of one’s surroundings. When practicing new stunts, it is recommended to have additional spotters to help anticipate a fall in an unexpected direction.
Treatment for Cheerleading Injuries
Treatment for cheerleading injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Most sprains and strains will resolve with rest and may benefit from bracing. Ankle braces or wrist braces can be used for return to sport. However, some sprains and strains can linger causing continued pain in which a physician may suggest physical therapy to facilitate proper healing and aid with the recovery process.
If the athlete is complaining of persistent low back pain that seems to increase with extension, it may warrant a visit to the physician to rule out fractures or vertebral changes. The physician may suggest imaging to aid with the diagnosis. Based on the extent of the injury, physical therapy may be prescribed to aid with proper core stabilization to assist with return to desired positions and sport-related skills.
Concussions in Cheerleading
The last injury that may require treatment is a concussion. Concussions can vary in severity and vary on treatment. Any loss of consciousness requires immediate medical care. There are proper protocols set in place for concussions that outline the treatment plan and return to sport criteria.
Cheerleading is a mix of dance, gymnastics, and stunts that is often a year-round sport. The athletes have high demands placed upon them for performance. Cheerleading is a true sport worth watching, however as with any sport, not without risks and injuries. Cheerleading is a fun and exciting sport. The athletes sometimes start as early as 4 years old and can progress up to professional sports.
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Book an Appointment at The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.