Cheer
The Netflix series Cheer may have catapulted cheerleading as a sport to the forefront of viewers around the world, but cheerleading has been around for over 140 years. Shockingly, it wasn’t until 1999 that cheerleading was verified as an official sport and only in 2021 did it receive full recognition by the International Olympic Committee. We say shockingly because cheer is intense! The amount of gymnastic ability, athleticism, and sheer power cheerleaders endure is astounding. While these athletes and their coaches do everything they can to keep themselves safe, cheerleading injuries are unfortunately common.
Some of the most common injuries in cheerleading include:
- ACL injuries
- Herniated discs
- Meniscus tears
- Concussions
- Rotator cuff tears
- Ankle sprains and strains
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- …and many others
Being on a cheer team requires meticulous attention to detail and the ability to work with multiple other people in tandem to coordinate a physically demanding, truly impressive routine. Depending on your position (base, backspot, and flyer), you could be more or less prone to a cheerleading injury. Still, it’s a high-impact sport any way you cut it, which means you have to take extra care to prevent injury.
Next Level Physio works with cheerleaders on both the youth and collegiate levels to help them heal from cheer injuries. It may have taken professional sports organizations a long while to recognize cheerleading as an official sport, but we’ve always understood the rigors cheerleaders put their bodies through. If you’ve experienced an injury from cheer and need a physical therapist in Bergen County, NJ, Next Level Physio is here for you.