Most cheerleading injuries during stunts

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- More than half of U.S. cheerleading injuries are due to stunts and nearly all reported concussions occurred when doing a stunt, researchers said.

The findings, published in the Journal of Athletic Training, focused on general cheerleading-related injuries, cheerleading stunt-related injuries, cheerleading fall-related injuries and surfaces used by cheerleaders.

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital said data from the study showed 96 percent of the reported concussions and closed-head injuries were preceded by the cheerleader performing a stunt.

"In our study, stunts were defined as cradles, elevators, extensions, pyramids, single-based stunts, single-leg stunts, stunt-cradle combinations, transitions and miscellaneous partner and group stunts," study author Brenda Shields said in a statement.

The most common injuries were strains and sprains at 53 percent, and 83 percent of the injuries occurred most frequently during practice.

The study showed that nearly 90 percent of the most serious fall-related injuries were sustained while the cheerleaders were performing on artificial turf, grass, traditional foam floors or wood floors.

"Only spring floors and 4-inch thick landing mats placed on traditional foam floors provide enough impact-absorbing capacity for two-level stunts," Shields said.