April 2, 2007 — -- As high school and college cheerleaders face increased pressure to perform gravity-defying leaps and flips, they are becoming vulnerable to permanent injury -- even death.

High school cheer teams nationwide are reporting fewer lower-body injuries after adopting performance-supportive footwear. Athletic training records and budgets now show a trend toward cheer-specific ...

Cheerleading has developed into a very disciplined and competitive sport. It incorporates much of the athletic demands of gymnastics but without mats. There has been a significant rise in injuries ...

Cheerleading showed 1.05 injuries per 1,000 athletic exposures, nearly half the average sports rate of 2.03 per 1,000 AE and lower than eight other girls’ sports. Emergency Room Visits Declined ...

CHICAGO (AP) -- Cheerleading isn't just jumping and waving pompoms — it has become as athletic and potentially as dangerous as a sport and should be designated one to improve safety, the nation's ...

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - A high school cheerleader is at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, after suffering head and spinal injuries at practice. The reported accident ...