| Anyone who has been following Chearleading's | | | | their cheerleaders. For example, look up |
| current trend understands that injuries are | | | | coaching football in a book store and you |
| becoming a major problem. From 1990-2002, | | | | will see a great variety of books at your |
| research has shown injuries in cheerleading | | | | disposal. Do the same for cheerleading and |
| to have doubled (This is with an 18 percent | | | | the selection becomes limited. Even worse, |
| growth). Also, a study published in the | | | | most cheerleading books do not stress the |
| journal Pediatrics estimates 208,800 young | | | | importance of safety enough.Do to these |
| people ages 5 to 18 were treated at U.S. | | | | limited resources, many coaches and |
| hospitals for cheerleading-related injures | | | | cheerleaders wind up trying to replicate a |
| during the 13-year period. Most of the | | | | tumbling pass or acrobatic lift (stunt) they |
| injuries were suffered by 12- to | | | | saw somewhere else. This leads only to an |
| 17-year-olds; nearly 40 percent were leg, | | | | increased risk of failure and injury. Every |
| ankle and foot injuries.How have these | | | | tumbling pass and acrobatic lift (stunt) has |
| injuries increased so much in 13 years? The | | | | its required technique and spotters (the |
| two reasons are increased acrobatic skills | | | | people who insure the safety of the |
| and lack of knowledge. Cheerleading has gone | | | | participant).Paul Hopkins has been |
| way past doing mainly cheers and chants. Now | | | | cheerleading for over seven years. During |
| it has moved into doing complex tumbling | | | | this time he has been a part of teams at the |
| passes and various acrobatic lifts | | | | high school, college, and professional |
| (stunting). As always, as the skill level | | | | levels. On top of that he has taught |
| goes up, the risk of injury | | | | numerous clinics and privates to cheerleaders |
| follows.Unfortunately, the skill level is | | | | of all ages; including Pro team members. |
| risng while the knowledge of proper saftey | | | | Some of his awards include a 24th place at |
| requirements is falling. There is a general | | | | partner stunt nationals. |
| lack of information out there for coaches and | | | | |