Cheerleading Injuries

Cheerleading has become a year-round, high-impact sport involving stunts, coordinated group skills, flips, jumping and twisting. These movements can lead to both acute and overuse injuries, as well as more serious injuries caused by falls or mistakes.

Common cheerleading injuries

Cheerleading movements can place significant stress on developing muscles, bones and joints, increasing the risk of a wide range of injuries, including growth plate injuries. Common cheerleading injuries include:

• Neck, lower back, knee, wrist, ankle sprains and strains
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries
• Concussions
• Knee injuries, including patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Neck and back injuries, including spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Broken bones and stress fractures
• Elbow and shoulder dislocations

Cheerleading can result in more serious injuries, including fractures and significant head, neck or spinal cord injuries. Cheerleaders, coaches and parents should be aware of the signs of a serious injury and know when to seek care. Athletes should also report any pain quickly so they can get early evaluation and treatment. Sports medicine specialists can help prevent common injuries from becoming more serious or long-lasting.

Cheerleading injury prevention

Due to the high demands of cheerleading, injury prevention is just as important as treatment. Although you can’t prevent all injuries, safe training practices can help reduce the risk of common cheerleading injuries. Cheerleaders should focus on:

• Proper technique during stretching, tumbling and stunts
• Adequate rest, recovery, nutrition, training and conditioning
• A consistent routine of warm-up exercises and stretching before practices and competitions
• Gradual progression to more advanced skills and stunts under qualified supervision

National cheerleading organizations such as USA Cheer have established cheerleading safety rules, safety tips and stunt safety guidelines to help prevent injuries. Following these rules and regulations and using appropriate cheerleading safety equipment can help ensure the safety of cheerleaders.

Athletes may benefit from additional support, including our:

• Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Program
• Sports Nutrition Program
• Female Athlete Program
• Concussion Program

Why are we experts at caring for young cheerleaders?

Cheerleading combines tumbling, stunts and dance, requiring strength, flexibility and coordination that can be difficult on growing bodies. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we recognize the unique demands cheerleading places on young competitors. That is why experts in our Sports Medicine Center provide specialized treatment, rehabilitation, nutrition support and injury prevention tips designed to help young athletes stay healthy, recover safely and perform at their best. Our multidisciplinary team includes pediatric sports medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports dietitians and other specialists who work together to provide comprehensive care for young cheerleaders.

Learn more about sports medicine care for cheerleaders