Cheerleading Injury Risk Well Below That of Many School Sports

Study demonstrates cheerleading is comparable with other female sports but
industry leaders emphasize need for proper training and supervision

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Injury risks associated with
cheerleading are no greater than most other sports, according to a recent
study released by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and
Administrators (AACCA).

Using two existing studies, the National Center for Catastrophic Sports
Injuries annual study and emergency room data from the Consumer Products
Safety Commission, AACCA conducted a thorough analysis of the number of
injuries per participant to determine risk of injury.

Contrary to some recent media reports, the AACCA analysis found that the risk
of injury from cheerleading is comparable with other female sports when
participation is factored. In fact, cheerleading ranks third in female sports
and eleventh in risk among injuries for all high school athletes.

"It can be readily documented that cheerleading in the U.S. is a reasonably
safe and healthy activity for our youth," says Dr. Gerald George, PhD,
Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology at the University of Louisiana,
Lafayette, a noted sports safety expert and the editor of several sports
manuals, including the AACCA Manual. "Furthermore, a critical analysis of
current injury statistics readily verify that the risk of injury associated
with cheer participation is well below that of many popular sport activities
currently being conducted in the elementary and secondary schools."

Dr. George adds, "Like any sport or activity, the risk of injury rises to an
unreasonable level in the absence of proper training and supervision. That is
why it becomes so important that cheer coaches and school administrators take
advantage of the Safety Certification and Educational Programs offered by
AACCA."

Jim Lord, executive director of AACCA and author of the report cautioned that,
like all sports, safety must always take top priority. "The data analyzed in
this study clearly shows that the risks associated with cheerleading are very
much in line with the risk of other sports. It also shows that there is room
for improvement in the enforcement of safe practices at all levels of
cheerleading."

In many states, high school cheerleaders follow the guidelines of the National
Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Beginning this year, the
organization is adding cheerleading to its annual injury surveillance study
conducted by The Ohio State University.

Susan Loomis, spirit director for the NFHS, has endorsed the AACCA study
adding, "This study by the AACCA shows that our efforts to create reasonable
safety rules and to encourage coaches' education are critical to keep
cheerleading as safe as possible, in line with other high school sports at the
very least."

Lord is optimistic that the use of correct data, along with a continuing
emphasis on safe practices by coaches through its Safety Certification and
Education Program, will further improve safety awareness.

"The AACCA formed a partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic
Association in 2006 that required that college cheerleading coaches must be
safety-certified," Lord said. "The NCAA has reported that there have been no
catastrophic injury claims since that time. We see that as a success we can
replicate in cheerleading at all age levels."

To view AACCA's full annual sports injury study, visit
www.aacca.org/safetystudy

About AACCA
The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators represents
more than 20,000 cheerleading coaches and is the leading advocates of
cheerleading safety in the U.S. AACCA is the most recognized source for
cheerleading safety education. The AACCA manual, composed by a team of
doctors, lawyers, cheerleading industry professionals and Gerald S. George,
PhD, has been endorsed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the
University Risk Management and Insurance Association, the Women's Sports
Foundation and the National Athletic Trainers' Association, as well as the
NCAA and NFHS.

For more information about AACCA, please contact Sheila Noone at 901-251-5959
or media@aacca.org.

SOURCE American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators

Sheila Noone, +1-901-251-5959, media@aacca.org