Study of the University of Koblenz: Increasing injury in cheerleading before Olympia 2032

Von Kl Redaktion

21.08.2024 - 12:31

University of Koblenz

The University of Koblenz took a close look at the risk of injury from cheerleaders in a comprehensive study. This investigation is becoming increasingly important because cheerleading is considered as a possible competition sport for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. This would be a significant step for recognizing this sport at an international level.

Originally, cheerleading was primarily used as a cheering tradition in sports. However, this practice has developed over the years and now includes demanding competitions and highly complex performances. Around 21,000 cheerleaders are currently active in Germany; There are even about 10 million worldwide.

biomechanical analysis of the cheerleading stunts

Research at the University of Koblenz aims to clarify the biomechanical foundations of cheerleading, especially with regard to stunts - the acrobatic lifting figures that are shown during the competitions. These stunts require a lot of skill and precision because they require the interaction of 'Bases' and 'flyers', whereby the Bases are usually stronger people who throw the lighter flyers high.

In the study, 15 elite cheerleaders from the Middle Rhine region were invited to carry out one of the simpler stunts, the so-called 'pop-off' under controlled conditions. Dr. Andreas Müller, the main author of the study and himself a former cheerleader, describes the approach: "Our goal was to find out what influence the tires of the athletes on the hardness of the landing."

The statistical evaluations were made by Dr. Robert Rockenfeller, a math professor at the university. The researchers analyzed hundreds of jumps and focused on how the various combinations of Bases and flyers influenced the maximum forces when they hit the ground.

  • The team members were surprised that the hypothesis that tired athletes land harder could not be confirmed.
    • Rather, it turned out that the landing behavior of the flyers played the decisive role.
  • The results could be helpful to optimize training and competition conditions and reduce the risk of injury.

dr. Müller notes: "We hope that our results will help in the future to increase the security of cheerleaders." While the 2032 Olympic Games are getting closer, it is of crucial importance to minimize possible injury risks in order to prepare the athletes as best as possible.

research and outlook

The researchers plan to continue their studies until the Olympics and announced that they carry out detailed biophysical measurements. The interaction between Bases and flyers should be examined in more detail in order to better understand the dynamics during the stunts. This includes the accelerations of the limbs and the forces that work within the joints.

dr. Robert Rockenfeller added: "An in -depth analysis could provide new insights into how training can be adapted so that everyone involved can work more safely." In this way, future studies could help develop new methods and techniques that not only improve the performance in cheerleading, but also the safety of the athletes.

Further information on the study is available from the University of Koblenz:

dr. Robert Rockenfeller

mathematical institute

Universitätsstraße 1

56070 Koblenz

Tel.: 0261 287 2307

Email: r.rockenfeller@uni-koblenz.de

Development of cheerleading in Germany

cheerleading has been through a remarkable development in Germany in the past two decades. Originally, it was mainly regarded as support for sporting events, but has developed into an independent competition sport with its own disciplines and guidelines. In 2010, the German Cheerleading and Cheerthon Association (DCCV) was founded, which represents the interests of the cheerleaders and is responsible for the promotion and organization of competitions. Today not only the competitions are popular, but also training programs and workshops that attract new talents.

The number of cheerleading teams and clubs has increased steadily in recent years, which illustrates the underlying popularity of the sport. Events such as the German Cheerleader Championships and the International Cheerleading Union (ICU) competitions attract many spectators and promote the growth and visibility of sport in Germany.

injury statistics in cheerleading

The risk of injury is an important topic in cheerleading, since the sport is associated with physically demanding stunts and complex movements. Studies have shown that the risk of injury in cheerleading is different, depending on the type of activity and the experience of experience of the athletes. An investigation by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research shows that the most common injuries to cheerleading are sprains and strains, followed by fractured bones.

Another report by the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the need for security protocols and appropriate training to reduce the injury rates. In Germany there are similar efforts to improve the security of cheerleaders through suitable training methods and biomechanical analyzes, as carried out in the current study of the University of Koblenz.

international perspectives and developments

The worldwide interest in cheerleading is increasing and organizations such as the International Cheer Union are working to regulate and promote sport internationally. Many countries have now formed national associations that take care of the development of cheerleading at various levels. The possible Olympic Games 2032 in Brisbane could be an important turning point for the recognition of cheerleading as a sport.

Some nations, such as the USA, have already established extensive competitive structures that enable athletes to compete in different age groups and performance classes. This not only leads to a stronger sports community, but also to an increasing professionalization of cheerleading, which is only at the beginning in Germany.

The upcoming Olympic Games could also help increase the visibility of sport and motivate more athletes to participate. In this context, research, which is operated at the University of Koblenz, is of crucial importance in order to improve security and maintenance strategies in cheerleading and thus optimize the sports experience for athletes.