@article{ref1,
title="An assessment of high school cheerleading: injury distribution, frequency, and associated factors",
journal="Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy",
year="2004",
author="Jacobson, Bert H. and Hubbard, Matt and Redus, Brady and Price, Sarah and Palmer, Tona and Purdie, Robin and Altena, Tom",
volume="34",
number="5",
pages="261-265",
abstract="STUDY DESIGN: Mail survey of cheerleading-related training and injuries. OBJECTIVE: To collect and describe injury frequency, distribution, and associated factors related to the activity of cheerleading. BACKGROUND: Estimates indicate that more than 1 million participants are involved in cheerleading at various levels; however, little information exists relative to injuries and training. Unlike most other sports, cheerleader injuries are not tracked in a central database. METHODS AND MEASURES: High school cheerleaders (mean age, 16.3 years) in 3 midwest states completed questionnaires mailed to their respective high schools. Of the surveys mailed to 104 schools, 425 (32.2%) were returned and sufficiently completed for analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported an average of 4.1 years of experience and 61.9% of the respondents had sustained 1 or more career injury. During the previous year, 41.3% had sustained 1 or more injuries (mean +/- SD, 1.7 +/- 1.9), resulting in an average of 3.4 reported missed practice or performance days. Of all injuries, the ankle (24.4%), back (16.1%), and wrist or hand (15.6%) were the most frequent sites of injury. CONCLUSION: The rates of injury in cheerleading are comparable to rates of other sports. To accurately provide safety guidelines for all levels of cheerleading, a nationwide injury tracking system is necessary.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0190-6011",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}