Date of Award
Fall 12-15-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Kinesiology
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Gregory Martel
Abstract/Description
Cheerleading has evolved immensely over the years. Gone are the days of simply shaking pom poms and yelling "GO TEAM!" Flips, twists, and prime athletic ability are what can be seen on the sidelines of any collegiate football or basketball game. Cheerleaders in general are assumed to have an above average level of balance, due to the nature of their training and sport. However, with these new skills comes the increasing risk for injury, and this risk may differ according to a cheerleader's position. As with any sport, cheerleading has specific positions. The cheerleaders that are put into the air are called "flyers." Flyers (F) are responsible for standing in the hands of the cheerleaders below them while maintaining a tight, controlled posture. "Bases" (B) are responsible for lifting flyers into the air, supporting them, and returning them back to the ground safely. Collegiate cheerleaders are frequently exposed to lower limb injuries, such as ankle sprains, torn ligaments, etc. Since balance is an essential skill in cheerleading, balance performance may be an issue to consider for potential injury prevention programs of collegiate cheerleaders.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Carroll, Caitlin, "Assessment of Balance in Collegiate Cheerleaders: Is Implementing a Balance Training Program a Good Idea?" (2012). Honors Theses. 51.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses/51