Exemplification Essay: Is Cheerleading A Sport

Cheerleading is a sport including many incommensurable activities such as dance, tumbling, jumping, and stunting, for competition or to cheer on a team. It is a very difficult sport that is much underappreciated. Cheerleading is a difficult activity which takes very hard work and dedication. Many cheerleaders obtain injuries from the hardcore sport. “Today, cheerleading involves skills which require the strength of football, the grace of dance, and the agility of gymnastics. Complex maneuvers are performed which challenge the limits of the body.” ("Cheerleading as a Sport") Cheerleading started in the 1870’s when Thomas Peebler led the crowd in a cheer at a Princeton University football game. (McCoy, Cheerleading, 2004) “Thomas Peebler …show more content…
") The American Medical Association thinks cheerleading should be considered a sport so they can make more rules and regulations to keep cheerleads safe. ("Is Cheerleading a Sport? ") “A study by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (NCCSIR) reported that half of all catastrophic female sports injuries between 1982 and 2011 occurred to cheerleaders (128 of 257 injuries).” ("Treating Cheerleading as a Sport") Evolving from sideline squads that once led fans in school fight songs to high-powered, complex, acrobatic shows to motivate the crowd, cheerleading is racking up sprained wrists, twisted ankles, damaged knees, strained backs and sometimes much worse. ("Cheerleading Ranks First in Catastrophic Sport Injuries") Common injuries in cheerleading are strains, sprains, soft tissue injuries, dislocation, fractures, lacerations, avulsions, concussions, and many other types of injuries. ("Girls' Most Dangerous Sport") To avoid injury you need to both mentally and physically warm-up. (McCoy, Cheerleading, 2004) To stay safe you should first mentally prepare yourself, with visualizations, goal, inspiration, and affirmations. (Vanderhoof, Cheerleading, 2011) “Take advantage of the link between the mind and the body when you are mentally preparing for cheerleading.” (Vanderhoof, Cheerleading, 2011) You should also set goals, personal or team goals can help you stay focused or motivated. (McCoy, Cheerleading, 2004) “Proper stretching is an important part of a cheerleader’s physical training.” (Vanderhoof, Cheerleading, 2011) You should always make sure you stretch your neck, shoulders, arms, legs, ankles and groin properly. (Vanderhoof, Cheerleading,