Safety in Cheerleading: Epidemiology and Recommendations: Policy Statement

Participation in cheerleading has continued to increase over the last decade, and the sport has evolved to require a higher level of athleticism. More than 3.5 million youth currently participate, with the vast majority being females between the ages of 6 and 17 years. Cheer occurs in both scholastic and nonscholastic settings; participants may perform to support other interscholastic teams or engage in competitions to showcase their skills against other squads. With the increased athletic demands of the sport and the year-round nature of competition, the number of injuries, including concussions, has risen. The overall injury rate for cheer is fairly low, but average time away from sport after injury is lengthy suggesting injuries can be severe. This policy statement reviews the epidemiology of cheerleading injuries and offers recommendations on how to improve the safety of cheerleading for all youth.