Give me an "S" for SAFETY
My son is only 7 but thinking about him one day playing football has always freaked me out. Then my 10-year-old daughter started cheerleading with the rec department and I realized she might've signed up for a sport far more dangerous. Several times she was hoisted in the air and everytime my heart skipped a beat. Several girls fell, both during practice and at games where they joined older girls to learn more about cheerleading.
The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research found that cheerleading is the most dangerous sport among high school and college female athletes. It cites 'gymnastics-type stunts" as the main reason for so many serious -- and sometimes fatal -- injuries. I mentioned this information today on The Morning Blend.
It's interesting that the most serious injuries occur not on the court or the field -- but on the sidelines!
What can parents do? I suggest we become more involved in activities like cheerleading and strongly request that programs, especially for kids, are as safe as possible. Is all the "stunting" really necessary?
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches & Administrators' have guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of injuries. That's probably a great place to start!
