Citation

Jacobson BH, Hubbard M, Redus B, Price S, Palmer T, Purdie R, Altena T. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2004; 34(5): 261-265.

Affiliation

School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA. bhj52ok@state.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15189018

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Mail survey of cheerleading-related training and injuries. OBJECTIVE: To collect and describe injury frequency, distribution, and associated factors related to the activity of cheerleading. BACKGROUND: Estimates indicate that more than 1 million participants are involved in cheerleading at various levels; however, little information exists relative to injuries and training. Unlike most other sports, cheerleader injuries are not tracked in a central database. METHODS AND MEASURES: High school cheerleaders (mean age, 16.3 years) in 3 midwest states completed questionnaires mailed to their respective high schools. Of the surveys mailed to 104 schools, 425 (32.2%) were returned and sufficiently completed for analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported an average of 4.1 years of experience and 61.9% of the respondents had sustained 1 or more career injury. During the previous year, 41.3% had sustained 1 or more injuries (mean +/- SD, 1.7 +/- 1.9), resulting in an average of 3.4 reported missed practice or performance days. Of all injuries, the ankle (24.4%), back (16.1%), and wrist or hand (15.6%) were the most frequent sites of injury. CONCLUSION: The rates of injury in cheerleading are comparable to rates of other sports. To accurately provide safety guidelines for all levels of cheerleading, a nationwide injury tracking system is necessary.

Language: en