Individual factors determine landing impacts in rested and fatigued cheerleaders.

High vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) during landings following acrobatic elements in artistic gymnastics is associated with trunk and lower extremity injury risk. As similar data regarding injury risk factors in cheerleading are scarce, the purpose of this study was to assess VGRF in pop-off dismounts of rested and fatigued flyers in cheerleaders. Fifteen German cheerleaders were recruited for this study, including seven female flyers and eight male bases. It was expected that performance would change in fatiguing athletes, potentially increasing the risk for injuries. However, neither the mean VGRF (rested: 6.0 ± 1.9 BW, fatigued: 6.2 ± 1.3 BW, overall range: 2.1-14.9 BW) nor the individual VGRF-time courses of the flyers changed significantly after the workout. Instead, we show that the flyers' ability to land - but not the bases' ability to catch - significantly influences the maximum and time-resolved impacts.

Team Efficacy Profiles: Congruence Predicts Objective Performance of Athlete Pairs.

Efficacy beliefs targeting personal (self-efficacy), teammates' (other-efficacy), and conjoint (collective efficacy) abilities are each associated with performance of athlete pairs. The purpose of this study was to examine (a) congruence/incongruence of efficacy beliefs between athletes in a pair as a predictor of quality of individual and team performance and (b) quality of performance relative to efficacy congruence at high, moderate, and low levels of efficacy. Eighty-two cheerleading pairs, composed of one base and one flyer, completed questionnaires assessing self-, other, and collective efficacy prior to a national collegiate competition. Individual and team performances were assessed using objective criteria. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that team performance was predicted by congruence of (a) both athletes' collective efficacy beliefs and (b) base self-efficacy and flyer other efficacy. Findings supported that congruence at moderate to high levels of efficacy was associated with better performance relative to incongruent efficacy beliefs across the two athletes.

Assessment of fatigue and recovery in elite cheerleaders prior to and during the ICU World Championships.

Introduction: Little is known about the demands of competitive cheerleading. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess fatigue and recovery during preparation for world championships. Methods: Fifteen participants from the German senior "All-Girl" and "Coed" national teams (nine males and six women) were recruited. Data were collected during the final preparation (T1 -T7) and competition days (C1 -C2). Heart rate variability (HRV) and resting heart rate (HR) were measured every morning. Data on training load, recovery, and stress (Short Scale for Recovery and Stress) were surveyed after training. Countermovement jump height (CMJ), sit-and-reach, and exercise-induced muscle damage (EMID) scores were taken in the afternoon. Results: There was a practically relevant decrease in CMJ (T2, T6). A trend for HR to increase (T5-C2) and HRV to decrease (T4, T6-C2) was evident. Through training, recovery decreased and recovered as C1 approached (mental performance: T2-T4 p = 0.004; T2-C1 p = 0.029; T3-T4 p = 0.029; emotional balance: T3-T4 p = 0.023; T3-C1 p = 0.014; general recovery status T1-T3 p = 0.008; T3-T4 p = 0.024; T3-C1 p = 0.041), whereas stress increased during the first days and returned to normal before C1 (emotional dysbalance: T2-T4 p = 0.014; T2-C1 p = 0.009; T3-T4 p = 0.023; T3-C1 p = 0.014). EMID scores increased for the upper and lower body between T3, T5-T7 (p ≤ 0.036) and T3, T6-T7 (p ≤ 0.047), respectively. Discussion: Pre-competition training led to substantial fatigue, and most markers indicate that athletes do not compete fully recovered. This could possibly be avoided by optimizing the training load or implementing recovery strategies.

Comparison of pediatric performance athlete injuries presenting to emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric injuries in performance sports represent a significant healthcare burden and account for over 50,000 annual Emergency Department (ED) visits in the United States. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare pediatric injury presentation across the most common performance sports. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was retrospectively analyzed for pediatric injuries (3-18 years) related to gymnastics, dance, or cheerleading from 2015-2019. Cases were categorized as children (˂11 years) or adolescent (≥11 years). Injuries were categorized as orthopedic (fractures, dislocations, sprain, strains), non-orthopedic (contusion, internal injury, laceration), concussion, or other/unknown. Case narratives were used to categorize mechanism of injury as contact or non-contact. Appropriate sample NEISS weights estimation was applied for statistical analysis and Confidence Intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 393,110 injuries were observed over the five-year study period, with a mean of 78,622 annual injuries. Gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading accounted for 136,422 injuries, 96,416 injuries, and 160,272 injuries, respectively. Most cases were adolescent (71%; 95% CI: 68-74%) and occurred in a sports-related setting (65%, 95% CI: 57-72%). Gymnastics had the highest proportion of injuries among children (50%) as compared to dancers (25%) or cheerleaders (12%) (p < 0.01). Non-contact injuries most affected the lower extremity (43-68%) and resulted in an orthopedic diagnosis (63-71%), and contact injuries had a higher proportion of injuries affecting the head, neck, and face (29-51%) and non-orthopedic diagnoses (29-38%). Gymnastics had the most upper extremity non-contact injuries (42%) and dance the most lower extremity non-contact injuries (68%) (p < 0.01). Cheerleading had the highest incidence of overall concussions (8%), contact injuries (47%), and concussions due to contact injury (15%). CONCLUSION: Pediatric gymnasts, cheerleaders, and dancers have important similarities and differences in injury pattern which may lead to the development of sport-specific injury prevention programs for pediatric performance athletes.

Analysis on Promotion of Sports and Ideological and Political Education to Students' Physical and Mental Health / Análisis sobre la Promoción del Deporte y la Educación Ideológica y Política a la Salud Física y Mental de los Estudiantes

To effectively implement ideological and political education within the physical education curriculum, it is proposed to analyze physical education in conjunction with ideological and political education. The influence of cheerleading on the physical and emotional health of 120 elementary school pupils were the research's focus. This paper investigates and intervenes in the six physical fitness indicators and the eight dimensions in the MHRSP primary school students' mental health scale and analyzes the effect and causes of integrating sports and ideological and political education to promote students' physical and psychological health. When determining the sample size of the experimental object, the following formula is used: N=t2P(1-P)/e2, where the accuracy percentage (E) is 0.5, the variation degree of the sample, the confidence (P) is 95%, the error is 10%, and the t-probability degree is constant 1.96; the total number is N=96,04. The results indicated no significant differences between elementary school students' six physical fitness indicators: height, weight, vital capacity, 1-minute sit-ups, 50mx8 round-trip running, and sitting forward flexion (p>0.05). Before and after the experiment, there were substantial differences between the experimental group and the control group. As an essential component of education and instruction, physical education curricula can not only improve students' physical health and cognitive abilities but also inspire students' enthusiasm for learning, which is favorable to enhance the mental health of primary school students. Simultaneously, promoting ideological and political courses and teaching higher vocational and physical education can help accomplish the pedagogical objective of "cultivating people by virtue."(AU)

How pom cheerleading improves the executive function of preschool children: the mediating role of speed and agility.

Physical exercises can improve individuals' physical health and cognition, but the internal influence path is unclear. This study aims to examine the influence of pom cheerleading training on physical fitness and executive function of preschool children and explore the relationship between sports training, physical fitness, and executive function. We selected seventy-one preschool children and divided them into the experimental group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 35). The experimental group kept a 12-week pom cheerleading training, and the exercises of the control group remained normal. Children's physical fitness and executive function were tested, in one week before and after the experiment, respectively. Results of repeated measurements analysis of variance and structural equation model test showed: (1) after 12-week pom cheerleading training, in terms of physical fitness, the experimental group has a significant improvement over the control group on agility and speed; in terms of executive function, the inhibitory control and working memory of the experimental group were significantly enhanced over the control group. (2) Speed quality plays a partial mediating role between pom cheerleading training and inhibitory control; agility plays a major mediating role between pom cheerleading training and working memory. It is concluded that physical exercise can directly improve preschool children's executive function, and indirectly enhance executive function mediated by physical fitness. Furthermore, structured and systematic physical education should be adopted for preschool children to cultivate their interest in sports and enhance their cognition.

Effects of cheerleading practice on advanced glycation end products, areal bone mineral density, and physical fitness in female adolescents.

Background: Exercise has been widely reported to promote bone health, but it is unknown whether is associated with a reduction in advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). This study aimed to investigate the effects of 14 weeks of cheerleading exercise on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and AGEs. Methods: In this study, 46 female teenagers (age, 19.52 ± 1.21 years; body mass index, 20.15 ± 2.47 kg/m2) were randomly divided into a cheerleading group (CHE, n = 21) and a control group (CON, n = 25). The CHE group was subjected to cheerleading practice twice a week for 14 weeks; the CON group maintained their daily routine. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure aBMD, and autofluorescence (AF) values were used to reflect AGEs. Physical fitness testing all-in-one machines are used to test body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle fitness and flexibility. A mixed ANOVA model was used to examine the effect of the intervention on each outcome. A multiple mediation model with covariates for physical activity and eating behaviors was performed to explore the mediators between cheerleading exercise and aBMD. Results: After 14 weeks of cheerleading practice, 1) aBMD increased significantly in both groups with significantly higher increases in the CHE group (p < 0.05). 2) AGEs significantly decreased in the CHE group (-2.7%), but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). 3) Vertical jumps and sit-ups significantly increased in the CHE group (p < 0.05), but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). 4) ΔAF values was significantly negatively correlated with Δ aBMD (r = -0.302, p < 0.05). 5) ΔAF values mediated the effect of exercise on the aBMD (indirect effect: 0.0032, 95% CI 0.0002-0.0079). Conclusion: Cheerleading practice improved aBMD and physical fitness and reduced AGEs accumulation in female adolescents. The effect of exercise on aBMD was partially mediated by AGEs.

Effects of 16 Weeks of Cheerleading on Physical Self-Esteem and Mental Health of Female College Students.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of cheerleading on female college students' physical self-esteem and mental health. Materials and Methods: In total, 63 female college students from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China were trained in cheerleading for 16 weeks. The scores of each sub-field of physical self-esteem and psychological symptoms were analyzed by using Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), respectively, at 0 and 16 weeks of the experiment. Results: After 16 weeks of cheerleading exercise, female college students had significant differences in physical attractiveness (T = 4.18), physical quality (T = 4.39), and physical self-worth (T = 3.35) before and after the experiment (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in physical condition (T = 3.87) and athletic ability (T = 2.88) before and after the experiment (P < 0.05). Somatization (T = 6.485), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (T = 11.716), interpersonal sensitivity (T = 10.077), depression (T = 8.403), anxiety (T = 10.767), hostility (T = 10.866), terror (T = 9.260), paranoia (T = 10.414), psychosis (T = 9.610), sleep and eating disorders (T = 9.323), total symptom index (T = 13.245), and mean score of positive symptoms (T = 12.237) were significantly different (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Cheerleading can significantly improve the level of female college students' physical self-esteem, especially the self-esteem level of physical attractiveness, physical quality, and physical self-worth. They also experienced significant improvement in their psychological disorders, especially somatization, depression, and sleep and eating disorders, which effectively improved their overall mental health.

Understanding the Cheerleader as an Orthopaedic Patient: An Evidence-Based Review of the Literature.

Cheerleading is a highly popular youth sport in the United States and has been increasingly recognized in recent years for its athleticism and competitive nature. The sport has changed dramatically since its inception. When the sport of cheerleading was first developed, its primary purpose was to entertain crowds and support other athletes. Today, cheerleaders are competitive athletes themselves. Cheerleaders, most of whom are in the pediatric age group, and their parents commonly approach orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians with questions regarding the risks associated with participation in the sport. Appropriate clinical guidance is especially important for athletes returning to the sport after an injury. However, unlike other popular sports (eg, football, basketball, and volleyball), the intricacies of cheerleading are not well-known to those outside the sport, including many health care providers. Previous studies have reported on the epidemiological patterns of injuries associated with cheerleading and how such aesthetic sports affect the body, finding that fractures and concussions are prevalent and that catastrophic injuries are more common than in most other sports. Here, we provide an evidence-based discussion of 10 pertinent topics regarding cheerleading and its risks to the musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive resource for orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians who care for these athletes.

Progress in Cheerleading Safety: Update on the Epidemiology of Cheerleading Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments, 2010-2019.

BACKGROUND: Although the athleticism required of cheerleaders has increased, the risks of cheerleading have been less studied as compared with other sports. PURPOSE: To update our understanding of the epidemiology of cheerleading-related injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: We analyzed the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for cheerleading-related injuries presenting to nationally representative emergency departments (EDs) in the United States from January 2010 through December 2019. Extracted data included patient age and sex, injury characteristics (diagnosis, body region injured, time of year, and location where injury occurred), and hospital disposition. Using patient narratives, we recorded the cheerleading skills, settings, and mechanisms that led to injury. NEISS sample weights were used to derive national estimates (NEs) from actual case numbers. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2019, a total of 9868 athletes (NE = 350,000; 95% CI, 250,000-450,000) aged 5-25 years presented to US EDs for cheerleading injuries. The annual number of injuries decreased by 15%, from 982 (NE = 35,000; 95% CI, 27,000-44,000) to 897 (NE = 30,000; 95% CI, 18,000-42,000) (P = .048), corresponding to a 27% decline in the injury rate per 100,000 cheerleaders (P < .01). The annual number of injuries caused by performing stunts decreased by 24%, from 240 (NE = 8700; 95% CI, 6700-11,000) to 216 (NE = 6600; 95% CI, 4000-9200) (P = .01), with a 36% decline in the corresponding injury rate per 100,000 cheerleaders (P < .01). Despite these decreases, annual incidence of concussions/closed head injuries increased by 44%, from 128 (NE = 3800; 95% CI, 2900-4700) to 171 (NE = 5500; 95% CI, 3400-7700) (P = .02), and patients requiring hospital admission increased by 118%, from 18 (NE = 330; 95% CI, 250-410) to 24 (NE = 720; 95% CI, 440-1000) (P < .01). The hospital admission rate increased by 9.0% (P = .02). CONCLUSION: The number of cheerleading-related injuries presenting to US EDs decreased from 2010 to 2019. However, the incidence of concussions/closed head injuries and hospital admissions increased, suggesting that further measures are needed to improve safety for cheerleaders.

El efecto agudo del entrenamiento en trampolín sobre la estabilidad, la altura de salto y la velocidad de carrera en 20 metros de porristas / Acute effect of trampoline training on stability, jump height, and speed in 20-meter sprints in cheerleaders

Resumen El efecto agudo del entrenamiento en trampolín sobre la estabilidad, la altura de salto y la velocidad de carrera en 20 metros de porristas. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-18. El principal objetivo del estudio es analizar el efecto agudo del entrenamiento en trampolín (ET) sobre la estabilidad, altura de salto y velocidad de carrera en 20 m de porristas. Se reclutaron 53 sujetos (18 hombres y 35 mujeres), que pertenecen al programa de porrismo Pura Vida Athletics (Tibás, Costa Rica). Se conformaron aleatoriamente tres grupos: grupo trampolín (GT), grupo control (GC) y grupo entrenamiento normal (GEN). El GT realizó un entrenamiento de trampolín (ET) tradicional (duración aproximada de 45 min; intensidad de 75-85% de la frecuencia cardiaca máxima). Se realizaron mediciones pre test y post test de la estabilidad (centro de presión), velocidad en 20 m y altura de salto (CMJ). Respecto a la estabilidad, en bipedestación el GT empeoró significativamente (p0.05) y el GEN (p>0.05) no tuvieron un cambio significativo. Como conclusiones, se evidenció una disminución significativa de la estabilidad del GT en bipedestación y, en los elementos de stunt liberty, awesome y arebesque. La altura del CMJ del GT tuvo una disminución no significativa. La velocidad en 20 m del GT fue significativamente menor después del ET.

Abstract Acute effect of trampoline training on stability, jump height, and speed in 20-meter sprints in cheerleaders. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-18. A total of 53 subjects were recruited (18 men and 35 women) belonging to the Pura Vida Athletics Cheerleading program (Tibás, Costa Rica). Three groups were randomly formed: Trampoline Group (GT), Control Group (GC), and Normal Training Group (GEN). GT followed a traditional ET treatment (approximate duration 45 min; intensity 75-85% of maximum heart rate). Pre-test and post-test measurements of stability (pressure center), speed in 20-m sprints, and jump height (CMJ) were conducted. Regarding stability, GT significantly worsened (p0.05) and GEN (p>0.05) did not have a significant change. In conclusion, there was a significant decrease in stability of GT in a bipedal stance and in Liberty, Awesome and Arabesque stunts. Height of CMJ of GT had a non-significant decrease, while speed in 20-m sprints of GT was significantly lower after ET.

Resumo O efeito agudo do treinamento em trampolim sobre estabilidade, altura de salto e velocidade em corrida de 20 metros de líderes de torcida. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 18(1), 1-18. O principal objetivo do estudo é analisar o efeito agudo do treinamento em trampolim (ET) sobre estabilidade, altura de salto e velocidade em corrida de 20 m de líderes de torcida. Foram recrutados 53 sujeitos (18 homens e 35 mulheres), pertencentes ao programa Pura Vida Athletics (Tibás, Costa Rica). Três grupos foram formados aleatoriamente: Grupo Trampolim (GT), Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo de Treinamento Normal (GEN). O GT realizou um treinamento de trampolim (ET) tradicional (com uma duração aproximada de 45 min e intensidade de 75-85% da frequência cardíaca máxima). Foram realizadas medições pré-teste e pós-teste de estabilidade (centro de pressão), velocidade de 20 metros e altura de salto (CMJ). Com relação à estabilidade, em bipedestação, o GT piorou significativamente (p 0,05) e o GEN (p> 0,05) não apresentaram uma alteração significativa. Como conclusão, ficou evidente uma diminuição significativa na estabilidade do GT em bipedestação e nos elementos de stunt liberty, awesome e arebesque. A altura do CMJ do GT teve uma diminuição não significativa. A velocidade de 20 m do GT foi significativamente menor após o ET.

Pelvic floor dysfunctions in female cheerleaders: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Cheerleaders perform high-impact maneuvers that can be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. We hypothesized that female cheerleaders would report more symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and fewer symptoms of premenstrual syndrome than nonathletic women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included high-performance female cheerleaders and young nonathletic, nulliparous, and normal-weight females. Demographics, sports practices, and pelvic floor dysfunction data were collected through an electronic questionnaire. Urinary symptoms were collected through the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and King's Health Questionnaire. Intestinal symptoms were collected through the use of Criterion F of item C3, referring to functional constipation of Rome III and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. Data on sexual function were collected through the Female Sexual Function Index. Data on pelvic organ prolapse were obtained through the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS). In addition, questions about premenstrual syndrome-dysmenorrhea, irritability, headache, tiredness, fluid retention, and constipation-were collected through the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire. The comparison between groups of the quantitative variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for comparison between groups on the occurrence of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction symptoms. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: A total of 156 women (78 cheerleaders and 76 nonathletes) completed the electronic questionnaire. Anal incontinence was the most prevalent symptom of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Cheerleaders were 2.3 times more likely to report symptoms regarding anal incontinence than nonathletic women. For the other symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, no statistical differences between the groups were found. Cheerleaders reported fewer symptoms of tiredness and constipation during the premenstrual period than did nonathletic women. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly anal incontinence, appears to be more prevalent among cheerleaders than among nonathletic women. In addition, cheerleaders demonstrated fewer symptoms of tiredness and constipation during the premenstrual period.

Catastrophic High School and Collegiate Cheerleading Injuries in the United States: An Examination of the 2006-2007 Basket Toss Rule Change.

BACKGROUND:: Cheerleading is a specialized athletic activity that can lead to catastrophic injuries. Cheerleading rules are in place to maximize safety of participants. The purpose of this study was to describe catastrophic cheerleading injuries among high school and collegiate-level participants in the United States and to explore whether the 2006-2007 basket toss rule change was effective at reducing the number of catastrophic injuries. HYPOTHESIS:: The 2006-2007 basket toss rule change contributed to a reduction in the number of catastrophic injuries among high school and collegiate cheerleaders. STUDY DESIGN:: Case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level 4. METHODS:: Data on catastrophic cheerleading injuries were collected by the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research from July 2002 to June 2017. Information collected included cheerleader, event, and injury characteristics. The impact of the 2006-2007 rule change banning the basket toss on any hard surfaces was assessed by comparing injury rates and 95% CIs before and after the rule change. RESULTS:: There were 54 catastrophic cheerleading injuries, or 3.6 injuries per year. From July 2002 through June 2017, the injury rate was 2.12 per 1,000,000 cheerleaders (95% CI, 1.56-2.69). Most cheerleaders sustained serious injuries (n = 27; 50%) during practice (n = 37; 69%) to the head (n = 28; 52%) and cervical spine (n = 17; 32%). From July 2002 through June 2017, basket tosses were the stunt that accounted for the highest proportion of injuries (n = 19; 35%). The basket toss injury rate decreased from 1.55 to 0.40 per 1,000,000 cheerleaders among both high school and collegiate cheerleaders after the rule change. CONCLUSION:: Catastrophic injury rates in cheerleading decreased dramatically after the 2006-2007 rule change banning basket tosses from being performed on any hard surfaces. In particular, there was a nearly 4-fold reduction in the rate of catastrophic basket toss injuries.

Cheerleading injuries in children: What can be learned?

INTRODUCTION: Cheerleading has gradually become more popular in Canada and represents an accessible way for youth to be physically active. OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the injuries encountered by cheerleaders according to their age, in order to propose safety guidelines that take into account the developmental stages of children. METHOD: Retrospective database review of cheerleading injuries extracted from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database between 1990 and 2010. The injuries were compared by age group (5 to 11 versus 12 to 19) according to their sex, mechanism of injury and injury severity. RESULTS: Overall, in 20 years, there were 1496 cases of injuries documented secondary to cheerleading (median age 15, 4 (interquartile range [IQR]=2, 2) years); mostly females (1410 [94%]). Of that number, 101 cases were 5 to 11 years old (age group [AG]1), while 1385 were 12 to 19 (AG2). Participants in AG1 were found to have a higher proportion of moderate-to-severe injury (46.5% compared with 28.2% in AG2). The odds ratio of moderate/severe injury for AG1 compared with AG2 was found to be 2.217 (95% CI [1.472; 3.339]). No fatalities were known to have occurred. CONCLUSION: Children's developmental stages affect their ability to participate in sports and the responses of their bodies to impact forces. Our findings concerning cheerleading injuries indicate that younger children (5 to 11 years old) are more likely to suffer moderate-to-severe injuries. Thus, on a local basis, the use of appropriate safety measures including appropriate flooring/safety mats and spotters to catch falling athletes should be mandatory.

Neck and spine injuries in Canadian cheerleaders: An increasing trend.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Cheerleading, now increasingly practiced in Canada, has a high propensity to cause traumatic neck and spine injuries. We aimed to evaluate the importance of neck and spine injuries in the practice of cheerleading and their occurrence mechanisms in order to propose preventive measures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cheerleading injuries extracted from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program database between 1990 and 2010 was performed. RESULTS: Overall, there were 1496 cases of injuries documented secondary to cheerleading (median age 15, 4 (IQR=2, 2) years; 1410 women (94%)). Of those, 125 cases (8%) were neck and spine injuries. The most frequent injury was a sprain/strain (47%). More severe injuries included fractures (4%), muscle or tendon injury (3%), dislocation (1%), and nerve injury (1%). Over half of these injuries were caused by either falling from (26%) or basing/spotting a stunt from height (26%). Other mechanisms include being thrown/falling from a high toss (10%) and falling from a pyramid (8%). Of the 125 cases, 3 (2, 4%) were admitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Most neck and spine injuries were related to stunts. Although the proportion of serious injury is low, the increasing trend for the practice of cheerleading calls for preventive measures.

Cheerleading injuries: A narrative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: With its increase in participation rate and complex stunts and gymnastic-like maneuvers, cheerleading injuries are on the rise. OBJECTIVE: A structured narrative review of the literature was performed to discover the status of the literature on a growing yet under recognized sport. Cheerleading injuries are described in terms of distribution, etiology, and prevention. METHODS: A literature search was conducted. The articles were then reviewed and included based on broad criteria set out by the author. RESULTS: The search produced 87 articles related to cheerleading injuries or articles with a mention of cheerleading. A total of 26 articles were included in this review based on the inclusion criteria. The most common injury experienced by a cheerleader is an ankle ligament sprain. SUMMARY: The recognition of cheerleading as a sport and a mandatory reporting database are needed along with further research for injury prevention strategies to be implemented.