When it comes to concussions in high school sports, there is good news and bad news, a new study suggests. “These results matter for all stakeholders involved in high school sports: parents, coaches, athletes, as well as researchers,” said Avinash Chandran, a post-doctoral research associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was an author of the study.
Only one sport had a concussion rate higher in practice than in competition: cheerleading.
The researchers noted in the study that where and how cheerleaders practice could play a role in that finding, but more research is needed.
“For instance, unfortunately, not all states recognize cheerleading as a sport — which may impact the conditions in which cheer squads may practice,” Chandran said, which could be in hallways or on asphalt, putting them at higher risk of concussion.