In this episode of the Cheer Athlete Podcast, we’re talking about a tough—but important—topic: catastrophic injuries in cheerleading.

While these injuries are relatively rare, cheerleading accounts for a significant percentage of catastrophic injuries in female high school sports. In this episode, I break down what “catastrophic injury” really means, the most common types seen in cheer (including concussions, spinal and neck injuries, fractures, and ACL tears), and why many of these injuries occur during practice—not competition.

We’ll cover:

• What qualifies as a catastrophic injury in cheer

• Why cheerleading carries unique risks compared to other sports

• Concussions vs. traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal and cervical injuries and why awareness matters

• Fractures, ACL injuries, and season-ending orthopedic trauma

• How strength, preparation, and proper progressions reduce risk

• The importance of recognizing symptoms and following return-to-play protocols

This episode isn’t meant to scare you—it’s meant to educate, empower, and protect athletes by helping parents and coaches understand risk, readiness, and prevention.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another cheer parent or coach.
Have a question or topic you’d like covered? Use the Ask Your PT form HERE
Check out the Injury Prevention Starter Kit for Cheer Parents to learn how to better support your athlete all season long. HERE