NPR highlights the risks involved with youth cheerleading. 

Amy L. Xu, MD,  orthopedic resident at HSS who has published research on injuries related to cheerleading,  says the sport that isn’t really talked about much in the literature.

Pediatricians are now raising awareness of the risks. For the first time in over a decade the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued an updated statement on the risks of injuries related to youth cheerleading, and how to prevent them.

The group is calling for cheerleading to be formally recognized as a sport, and for cheerleaders to get the same resources and support as other athletes.

“There are injuries in cheerleading that are severe and frequent, and cheer teams should be given access to the same resources as other athletic teams like football and soccer,” said Dr. Xu.

Read the full article at NPR.org.