Published: September 04, 2008

Three Cheers for Injury Prevention

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Newswise - More and more cheerleaders will tell you that cheerleading is not just an activity - it is a true sport. It has grown more competitive over the years, and athletes continue to take more risks. In fact, cheerleading is one of the leading sports causing severe, traumatic injury in females and is why the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests that cheerleaders observe certain safety guidelines.

o The basket toss is a stunt in which a cheerleader is thrown into the air, often between 6 and 20 feet, by three or four other cheerleaders.

But injuries such as bruises, twisted ankles, shin splints - even head and neck injuries - can also occur while cheerleaders are performing simple routines on unforgiving surfaces like gymnasium floors.

"Cheerleading has evolved into a physically demanding and competitive sport requiring complex gymnastic maneuvers that pose a serious threat of injury to participants," says Daniel Green, MD, spokesperson for the AAOS and pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in New York. "Cheerleading injuries may be prevented through increased spotter training, mandating the use of floor mats for complex stunts, and encouraging safety education and proper training for coaches."

â€¢ Nearly 4 percent involved concussions and other closed head injuries.

â€¢ Familiarize your squad with the most common cheerleading injuries (sprains, strains, head and neck injuries, fractures and dislocations and how to treat them. Establish a chain of command (coach, assistant coach, captain, co-captain and so on) that you use in case an injury occurs.

http://www.orthoinfo.org

AAOS Information Statement on Getting Athletes Back in the Game

Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)