What would you include on a list of the top 20 most dangerous sports? You're probably thinking of hockey, lacrosse, or football. But have you ever thought that cheerleading could also be a very traumatic sport?
Believe it or not, cheerleading is 16th on a list of most traumatic sports. Furthermore, cheerleading is considered the most dangerous sport for females due to the high risk of concussions and injuries with long-term medical effects.
While exhausting gymnastics and dance movements are to blame for the majority of injuries, there is a further concern. Because many organizations still do not consider cheerleading to be a sport, it is not subject to regular safety laws, which contributes to the high injury incidence among cheerleaders.
As a result, over 30,000 cheerleaders are hospitalized each year for cheerleading-related injuries.
Thes are some of the most prevalent cheerleaders' injuries.
Wrist injuries
When you're falling, in most cases you are instinctively trying to catch yourself with your hands. It can cause you severe wrist harm. You risk spraining, dislocating, or breaking your wrist if you fall too hard.
While wrist injuries are not necessarily season-ending, they might significantly limit your activities. Healing time for wrist injuries might range from several weeks to months.
Ankle injuries
Competitive cheering routines include a lot of jumping, running, and flipping. Performing these movements several times per week can put a strain on your ankles, resulting in sprains and fractures. This can be an issue for growing youngsters since their bones aren't fully developed at the joints and are more vulnerable.
A sprain usually heals in six weeks. More severe injuries, such as a fractured bone or torn ligament, may require surgery.
Concussions and other head injuries
Concussions are the most prevalent injuries among cheerleaders. Some schools registered more concussions on cheerleading squads, than on football or soccer teams.
According to studies, cheerleaders near the base of stunts are the most at risk for concussions since other teammates can fall on them. Flyers and people at the pinnacle of stunts are also susceptible to concussions, especially if they fall or are dropped.
Concussions are serious injuries that can have long-term consequences. That is why you should not participate in sports until the concussion has totally recovered.
Knee injuries
Landing a tumbling pass or getting down from a pyramid put strain on your knees and your ankles. If you do not land straight on your feet, you risk straining and tearing the knee ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and meniscus.
Minor ligament sprains can mend in four weeks, but major sprains and tears may necessitate surgery and take six months to a year or more to fully recover. If you feel that you may have seriously injured your knee, you must seek for sports injury specialist.
It is possible to avoid cheering injuries
As with most activities, prevention is the best medicine. Warm up before cheerleading practice, games, and competitions! Warm-ups can help relax muscles and prevent injury. Most sports injuries occur near the conclusion of practice when everyone is exhausted. When you are tired, you become less exact and more prone to making mistakes.
Cheerleaders should avoid performing stunts if they are exhausted, injured, or ill, as this will cause them to lose focus and forget about safety. Mats should also be used as much as possible during contests and during practice sessions.
You should always say ‘NO’ to performing stunts or any other maneuvers if it feels too dangerous for you. And if your teammates don’t take their safety seriously, you should talk to the coach.
