Progress in Cheerleading Safety: Update on the Epidemiology of Cheerleading Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments, 2010-2019

Abstract

Background: Although the athleticism required of cheerleaders has increased, the risks of cheerleading have been less studied as compared with other sports. Purpose: To update our understanding of the epidemiology of cheerleading-related injuries. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We analyzed the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for cheerleading-related injuries presenting to nationally representative emergency departments (EDs) in the United States from January 2010 through December 2019. Extracted data included patient age and sex, injury characteristics (diagnosis, body region injured, time of year, and location where injury occurred), and hospital disposition. Using patient narratives, we recorded the cheerleading skills, settings, and mechanisms that led to injury. NEISS sample weights were used to derive national estimates (NEs) from actual case numbers. Results: From 2010 to 2019, a total of 9868 athletes (NE = 350,000; 95% CI, 250,000-450,000) aged 5-25 years presented to US EDs for cheerleading injuries. The annual number of injuries decreased by 15%, from 982 (NE = 35,000; 95% CI, 27,000-44,000) to 897 (NE = 30,000; 95% CI, 18,000-42,000) (P =.048), corresponding to a 27% decline in the injury rate per 100,000 cheerleaders (P