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Daredevil Stunts Crippling Cheerleaders

Serious injuries skyrocket as performers take to the air

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2009 4:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – American high school and college cheerleaders are losing teeth, breaking backs and becoming paralyzed in increasingly dangerous stunts that agonized parents and experts say should be stopped. "I didn't know that they were throwing her up in the air.  Why would the school allow that?" asked one stunned Los Angeles father, whose daughter has been unable to move or speak since a high school cheerleading accident two years ago. Cheerleading injuries ending in trips to emergency rooms have increased almost sixfold since 1980, to nearly 30,000 last year.

Disabilities or deaths in the last 26 years are almost double for female high school cheerleaders than for female players of all sports combined.  Some stunts result in the same impact as being tackled by an NFL linebacker, according to studies. "Cheerleading is out of control," said a sports injury expert from the University of North Carolina. Experts are calling for mats, spring-loaded surfaces and well trained supervisors. Still, if a "girl hits her head from ten feet high, she's going to suffer catastrophic injury," warns one expert.

Male and female cheerleaders fly through the air.
Male and female cheerleaders fly through the air.   (©brainchildvn)
Cheerleaders fly through the air in a risky routine becoming increasingly common.
Cheerleaders fly through the air in a risky routine becoming increasingly common.   (©brainchildvn)
Catchers wait to grab a flying cheerleader.
Catchers wait to grab a flying cheerleader.   (©brainchildvn)
A University of Wisconsin cheerleader flips during a football game last month.
A University of Wisconsin cheerleader flips during a football game last month.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 14, 2009 11:47 AM CDT
@riffran, Your answer sounds right for Gymnastics - an organised, real discipline which competes in the Olympics. Why this sham Hollywood-style, nothing entertainment stuff? I think America has a SUBSTANCE vs IMAGE/BLING problem. Watch the countries busy overtaking America: They do the real stuff. I think @Nelstorm has the answer.
lonewolf17
Oct 14, 2009 1:57 AM CDT
Pretty ironic that cheerleading is more dangerous than football
tumblecoachj
Oct 13, 2009 12:33 PM CDT
the reason we do this is the same that we just don't have flag football in college and nfl it would be safer wouldn't it? I agree with safer measure need to be done just like any other athletic activity, but it needs to start with the level of instruction and more qualifications for instructors.

 
high school • health • college • accident • paralysis • cheerleading • male cheerleaders • cheerleaders

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