How dangerous is cheerleading?

Parents need to know what their child is doing with cheering stunts. Be aware, be knowledgeable and take control.

United States Sports Academy – July 24, 2009 – Kimberly Archie, Executive Director of the National Cheer Safety Foundation (NCSF) visited the USSA campus and presented Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich a plaque. Kim paid the good doctor a visit to discuss the necessity for developing cheerleading safety programs to make cheer safety a number one priority in what is still the most dangerous sport.  The U.S.S.A. offers bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees in sports science and management.

Just How Dangerous Is Cheerleading? - July 24, 2009 – This is a short article not providing much analysis but the author did create a checklist for ways to make cheerleading safer for your child. The article makes mention of “fliers”, cheerleaders who because of being tossed in the air require smaller-lighter cheerleaders, normally girls, who suffer the greatest degree of injury. The safety preparation list included

• Ask whether the coach is certified by the US All Star Federation for Cheer & Dance Teams or the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA); find out of that certification is current. If your child’s school does not require certification, insist that they change their policy.
• Ask what governing board established the safety rules your child’s school uses. Look for rules developed by the AACCA or the All Star Federation.
• Ask if emergency medical response plans are in place. Make sure that the policy is to call 911 first in the event of an injury and call the parent second.
• Find out where practices take place. The space should be adequate in size, supplied with proper mats and equipment, and free from distractions.
• Ask your child if she ever feels pressured to attempt maneuvers she does not feel are safe, and whether mastery of one part of a maneuver is achieved before the next step is practiced.
• Find out what kind of warm-ups and strength training are included in the program.