Learn more about preventing cheerleading injuries

Cheering your team to victory is usually a harmless activity. However, when a pyramid collapses or a stunt goes awry, concussions can occur.

Did you know most cheerleading concussions occur during practice? Learn more below.

 

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Facts About Cheerleading and Concussions

The overall injury rate in cheerleading is low, but concussion is the most common injury.

Percent of all cheerleading injuries that are concussion: 31.1%

Unlike other sports, most cheerleading injuries (78.8%) occur during practice rather than during game time.

The following skills make up the largest proportion of concussion injuries:

  • Stunts: 69%
  • Pyramids: 15.7%
  • Tumbling: 9.1%
  • Other: 6.2%

When it comes to positioning during stunts, being at the bottom makes you most susceptible to concussion:

  • Bases: 45.5%
  • Flyers: 36%
  • Spotters: 9.8%
  • Other: 8.6%

These are the most common ways to get a concussion during cheerleading:

  • Contact with the playing surface 37.9%
  • Contact with another person: 58.9%
  • Due to:
    • Elbow
    • Head
    • Foot

 

About Sports Medicine

An athletic lifestyle carries the potential for injury. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, UPMC Sports Medicine can help. If you are looking to prevent, treat, or rehabilitate a sports injury, our multidisciplinary team of experts can help you get back into the game. If you are seeking to improve your athletic performance, we can work with you to meet your goals. We serve athletes and active people of all ages and experience levels. Our goal is to help you keep doing what you love. Visit our website to find a specialist near you.