BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) – Cheerleaders might suffer a concussion silently, because of the unique position cheering puts them in, by gaining respectability for their sport. We went to a local gym that says, that's not true! At ACE Cheer Company in Birmingham, athletes hit the mats for practice. Flyers launch through the air, and grounded cheerleaders are responsible for tossing and catching their teammates. Both, can be risky.
“We teach them when there is an injury, they know not to move the athlete they know to let them stay there and let the coaches evaluate it,” Brandon Prince says.
And it's not just cheerleading, women's soccer and other physical sports also pose dangers.
Lia Whitmore is a high school soccer player, who says, "I went up for a header and next thing you know I'm on the ground and my coach is walking me off the field. They said that if I get another concussion I'm going to have to quit playing soccer."
Doctors say, female athletes are at just as high risk for concussions than their male counterparts. And they're urged to heal properly before getting back to the competition.
Dr. Melvin Field, Sports Concussions says, "If you've had a concussion and you're back on the field still suffering symptoms from a concussion that you're at a much higher risk of having a more devastating head injury or even death."
Cheerleaders can also suffer head injury from a football or basketball play, during the game. It's important for athletes and instructors to be aware of the symptoms and know the protocol if an athlete is injured.
