Injuries and Prevention For coaches and parents Angelique Brown

Cheerleading as a sport  Cheerleading is no longer just a pastime with girls in their skirts and pom poms. Cheerleading is a ever changing activity that has become a highly competitive sport. With that being said injuries in the sport of cheerleading are on the rise!

Stunts then  -Stunts were simple  -no higher then shoulder level  -rarely done  -usually thigh stands and shoulder sits

Stunts now  -more advanced  -used regularly  -girls thrown in air  -flyers standing on 1 leg  -double level stunts

Tumbling- Then: Cartwheels and round offs were the only form of gymnastics seen. These skills were put into halftime routines to get the crowds attention. Now: If you're serious about cheerleading you have more advanced tumbling skills. It's not uncommon for a varsity team to require a tumbling skill, like a back handspring or standing tuck, to make the team. This skill has definitely become more important in the world of cheerleading.

Key statistics  -Cheerleading carries the highest rate of catastrophic injury in sports.  -Cheerleading accounts for fully two-thirds (66%) of all catastrophic injuries in female athletes.  -The number of catastrophic injuries related to cheerleading has increased from 1.5 per year from 1982 to 1992 to 4.8 per year from 2003 to 2009  ://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/5/9 66.full ://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/5/9 66.full

According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, cheerleading has experienced a sharp rise in the number of emergency room visit since : 4, : 6, : 16, : 22, : 24,675 rates-catastrophic-injuries-concussions#ixzz3RRSzsaj2

Most common cheer injuries  Ankle sprains are the most common, followed by strains or sprains of the neck, lower back, knee and wrist. The most frequently seen sprain occurs when weight is applied to the ankle on an uneven surface and a rolling motion occurs. Pain and swelling typically follow directly after, and some people may even hear or feel a pop. Treatment for this is R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation )

Injuries cont.  Groin Pulls – Due to the flexibility demands of cheerleaders, another common injury is a pulled groin. This injury occurs when the muscles located in the inner thigh are stretched beyond their limits. This is often seen when cheerleaders overextend during jumps and/or when flyers overextend while completing flexibility-based skills in the air. Treatment for this is R.I.C.E.

Injuries cont.  Wrist Injuries – Wrist injuries are common in cheerleading because of the multiple weight bearing skills involved like stunting and tumbling. Bracing a fall can be especially dangerous to the wrist joint because you’re putting all the weight on that 1 joint. The most common injury to the wrist is a sprain. If there is no obvious deformity and no numbness occurring after the injury R.I.C.E. is the treatment

Injuries cont.  Concussions - A study published in the Journal of Athletic Training reported that 6 percent of cheerleading injuries are concussions. However, concussions in cheerleading are on the rise! Between 1998 and 2008, concussion rates for cheerleading rose 26 percent each year, a rate greater than any other girls' sport studied. The rate of concussion also increases with age and competitive level.

Injury prevention

Prevention  Good Coaches  Since cheerleading often requires participants to perform high risk stunts, it’s imperative to have a qualified and experienced coach leading the team. Cheerleaders are less likely to sustain injuries if their coach has completed a safety course or has more than one year of coaching experience.

Prevention  Proper Technique  Athletes should always use proper technique when executing basic skills and difficult stunts. When cheerleaders use proper landing techniques they reduce their chances of getting a knee or ankle injury.

Prevention  Have a Spotter Squads should have spotters available at all times. Their main responsibility is to decrease a cheerleader’s risk of injury. They are also used to correct to body form. They should always be used while cheerleaders are learning new skills. Using a spotter can help develop an athlete’s confidence while they are learning a stunt.

Prevention  Proper Equipment  The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators recommends that cheerleading squads use mats or a soft even surface when learning new skills and while performing in competitions. Using a mat can prevent the chances of a severe injury if a cheerleader falls. Athletes should wear cushioned shoes when practicing and competing.

Prevention  Strength and Conditioning  Squads need good strength and conditioning during the season and off-season to reduce an athlete’s chances of getting hurt. Cheerleaders should do resistance training to strengthen the muscles in their back, stomach and shoulders. Regular stretching is must for athletes before and after games, competitions and practices

Prevention  Stunt Restrictions  Cheerleading governing bodies have put stunt restrictions in place to prevent catastrophic injuries from occurring such as head trauma and spinal cord injuries. Many high schools and colleges have put limits on the heights of cheerleading pyramids.

Prevention  Skill and Ability  Cheerleaders should only perform stunts that are within their ability to level. Coaches should only allow athletes to perform advanced skills if they have mastered the proper technique

 In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges coaches, parents and school officials to follow injury-prevention guidelines, develop emergency plans and ensure cheerleading programs have access to the same level of qualified coaches, medical care and injury surveillance as other sports

 All in all cheerleading is a great sport. It does have its possible injuries like any other sport but with the correct guidance the squad can prosper as long as we have the right knowledge and take the right precautions. Lets make this a great season. Go panthers!!!