March is best known for St. Patrick’s Day and spring break, but it’s also National Cheerleading Safety Month. Considering that more than 3.82 million kids and adults take part in cheer in the U.S., a month dedicated to keeping this popular sport safe is a good idea. If you or your loved ones are involved in cheer, here’s what you need to know about promoting safety among cheerleaders.
Why National Cheerleading Safety Month Is Important
Cheer is a popular sport in the U.S., but it’s also a dangerous one. In fact, research has shown it’s the most dangerous sport for women and girls to participate in, on par with football for the amount and severity of injuries. Emergency room visits due to cheerleading have increased about sixfold over the last 30 years, with about 30,000 visits in just one year. These visits show that cheerleading is the primary cause of catastrophic head and neck injuries among female athletes.
Clearly, a month to focus on safety in cheer is necessary. That’s why March has been National Cheerleading Safety Month since 2015 and why USA Cheer and the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators still promote it. These organizations work together to increase this sport’s safety to prevent major injuries like concussions, broken bones, and more.
Each week focuses on a major aspect of cheer safety. These weekly themes include ways to protect athletes, reduce injuries as cheer skills progress, decrease bullying and hazing, and ensure coaches receive proper training.
Most Common Injuries in This Sport
Injuries sustained while cheerleading can range from minor to deadly. The most common ones often require a trip to the doctor, if not a hospital stay, and require a lot of recovery time. Sometimes, though, the damage is permanent. That’s why many cheer injuries lead to personal injury lawsuits to recoup medical costs. The following are some of the most common injuries from cheer accidents:
Sprains and strains: Ankle sprains are among the most common type of injury. Cheerleaders can also sprain or strain their wrists, knees, back, or neck.
Fractures and dislocations: This is the second most common type of cheer injury. Cheerleaders may fracture the bones in the legs, ankles, elbows, wrists, or lower back, and they might dislocate the kneecaps, elbows, ankles, and shoulders. Such injuries can require them to wear a cast or brace for months, reducing their range of motion and strength. As a result, cheerleaders usually need physical therapy and more training to make up for the time they lost during recovery.
Back and neck injuries: Cheerleaders are at high risk of serious injury to their back or neck. Overuse of these areas while training every day can lead to soreness, while falling during a flip or being dropped from a pyramid can cause fractures in the back and neck. Such injuries can take months or even years to heal, often requiring ongoing physical therapy for relief.
Concussion: Among the most serious cheer injury is a concussion, a brain injury that may result from a bad fall from a pyramid or flip. Some concussion symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, difficulty balancing, and sensitivity to sound and light. Multiple concussions can cause permanent brain changes, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and more. Reducing the risk of concussion in cheer and other sports is crucial.
How to Observe National Cheerleading Safety Month
If you or a loved one has received a cheerleading injury, focus on safety to reduce the odds of it happening again. To observe National Cheerleading Safety Month, you can start by following any rules and guidelines the coach sets out for pyramids, tumbling, and other stunts. If you’re required to use mats or only perform certain moves with supervision, be sure to follow those rules to avoid injury.
You can also reduce the risk of injury by properly stretching before and after practice, as directed by the coach. And speaking of coaches, make sure yours has proper training in cheerleading and certification in first aid and CPR.
Hire a Lawyer for Help With Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Following these guidelines can reduce the chances of you or a family member getting hurt in cheer. But no matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen, and they can lead to serious injuries. If you end up hurt and you think your coach or those in charge of the cheer program could have prevented it, you might have a personal injury case on your hands.
Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to find out if filing a personal injury lawsuit is the right move for you. Most times, lawsuits of this kind give you a chance to get the compensation you deserve after a serious cheerleading injury. Contact Bennett Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
