Injuries can happen in any sport. Cheerleading is no different. Some of the most common cheer injuries include ankle sprains or knee sprains. Other minor injuries include muscle strains and finger or hand injuries. It is important to keep in mind that at the higher levels of cheer, the sport becomes more demanding. More serious injuries include dislocations, fractures, breaks, and concussions. There are several factors that can contribute to injury. Continuous training can take a huge toll on the body and can lead to over use injuries. Other factors that may cause injury are skill difficulty and time training. Athletes that are not familiar with proper technique are more likely to incur or cause an injury to themselves or their team mates. A highly skilled cheerleader must maintain the proper training which incorporates conditioning, cardio, strength training and repetition of skills. A strong core, strong, shoulders and conditioned arms are essential to maintaining a high level of safety within the sport. Flexibility is also important when preventing cheer injuries during practices, competitions, and events. Proper warm ups and stretches along with good technique are just some ways to prevent injuries. Always give yourself enough time to master one skill before moving on to a more difficult skill. Using mats and spotters to perfect your skills will help you to gain more confidence and proper form while preventing any unnecessary injury.
