The rise in confidence and self-esteem often also extend beyond the sports context. Cheer is full of self-discovery, excitement and passion, it offers numerous benefits to American cheerleaders of all ages. “We’ve collected data at football games throughout the day, and it showed that the amount of time cheerleaders spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity was the cardiovascular equivalent of running a marathon or more,” Lochbaum said. Required fields are marked *. “The body image issue is a major one, especially with the outfits cheerleaders wear and so forth” Czech said. ©2021 Verizon Media. While some may believe participating on more activities during the school year removes the focal point of of school and onto sports, science shows that participating in an out-of-office activity keeps people more focused at school. Cheerleaders may not always get the credit they deserve as athletes ― the sport requires a great deal of physical and mental strength, and bravery.”. “With good coaching and the right culture, athletes learn to persevere when there is a challenge, work together for a common goal, and believe in their own ability to learn and achieve.”. “I can’t think of a sport that has such an enormous variety of physical demands in an extended period,” he said. Cheerleading involves more than just cheering the home team to victory or performing crowd-pleasing stunts. Best Mental Toughness Training Package for Cheer $ 179.99 – $ 199.99. According to NCA statistics, 82% of cheerleaders maintain a grade point average of that equivalent to a B or higher. Young children are bundles of endless energy. Through their training, cheerleaders strengthen not only their bodies but also their brains. This activity now takes center stage and is recognized as a high energy, demanding sport. Your email address will not be published. “Studies have found that athletes are better able to make split-second decisions, have better focus and concentration for longer periods of time, better memories, and they are better able to predict outcomes,” she said. You get one chance. The latest Netflix phenomenon is no doubt the docuseries “Cheer,” which follows Navarro College’s competitive cheer squad on its quest to win a national championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. Cheerleading Benefits for Participants. It can be beneficial to build self-esteem, encourages health social development between the squad to form lifelong friendships. The high flyers have to be so ready, and the ones who do the holding are pretty darn strong. Social Benefits include encouraging fair competition, developing strong morals, protecting from negative outside influences, and decreasing the likelihood of developing depression or anxiety. “When coaches and/or parents and peers focus on the physical image of a cheerleader, or the inability to hit a skill for example, it is devastating to an athlete’s self-esteem,” Pierotti said. Cheerleading allows you to improve your flexibility and balance and is a good way to increase cardiovascular activity, keeps your weight down, and builds muscle (Livestrong.com), (Healthline.com). Others incorporate giving into Christmas traditions or make an effort to spread some holiday cheer to those who are less fortunate. Indeed, there’s a joy and confidence boost in setting a goal to do a specific stunt and then achieving it through hard work and perseverance. Cheerleading benefits everyone on the squad and that’s why it’s such a successful sport because there is a spot for everyone. “Physically, cheerleaders are strong and flexible, as they combine elements of dance and gymnastics,” said Lauren Hennessy, owner and director of, Psychologically, you’ve got to be mindful of that a little bit because it can lead to unhealthy behavior out of desperation to remain part of that group which forms your identity.”. It helps children to handle not only physical but also emotional challenges in life. Cheerleaders are in incredible shape.”. Dance is a form of aerobic exercise that has physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Cheerleading is simply practicing for the larger arena of life. This one is obvious, but important to highlight. But teams like Navarro that encourage a growth mindset and focus on mental preparation for competition can better handle the intense pressure of the moment. Many have also reminisced on their days in the cheerleading world or pondered getting back on the mat themselves. Maintaining good grades in school while participating in multiple things can help student athletes receive exciting opportunities such as, academic honors, scholarships, or even trips to different places to compete against other teams, NCA statistics show that 82% of cheerleaders are accepted into college. In Cheerleading there are a range of roles that different members of the squad carry out but whether you are a base, a backspot or a flyer, physical strength is probably the most important element of cheerleading. It provides many physical, mental and emotional benefits too. Emotional. Having a team to fall back on can help make people feel more connected to the school and forms relationships among the squad and can also bring the families of the team members together. Read on for the pros and the cons. A loving relationship can be an oasis in uncertain times, but nurturing it requires attention, honesty, openness, vulnerability, and gratitude. “Imagine running a marathon, plus having that emotional experience of the game, plus workouts during the week, and then having to be a student and take a math test.”. Having a social support system that feels like a family can be very healthy and good for personal development. Morgan is currently a sophomore in high school and has been cheerleading since she was five. 1. the actual benefits of cheerleading In addition to its physical merits, cheerleading is also a sociable, group-based activity that can help boost kids' self assurance and leadership capabilities. “Hesitations and fear could result in a cheerleader not doing a skill the way they were trained and could increase the potential for injury,” Hennessy added. When we give without expecting anything in return, we are improving our psychological health. During certain sports seasons, cheerleaders are constantly going to games, on top of training during the week. Select options. Any time we train in an elite sport, of which cheerleading certainly qualifies, we will see changes in the brain at a neurological level which impact the mental toughness of these athletes.”. “Physically, cheerleaders are strong and flexible, as they combine elements of dance and gymnastics,” said Lauren Hennessy, owner and director of MVP Mentality Sports Psychology in Boca Raton, Florida. Sale. Satisfaction Is a Requirement. “The psychology behind that can be very detrimental and can cause eating disorders, exercise addiction and other negative things.”. So if a cheerleader consistently hears that she doesn’t look right, or he isn’t strong enough, that will be the message they start saying to themselves.”. Part of HuffPost Wellness. Cheering is a team sport that requires trust in one another especially when doing difficult stunts. HuffPost spoke with experts to find out what exactly happens to your body and mind when you participate in the sport of cheerleading. Youth cheerleading offers numerous health benefits to children as they develop and learn to engage in the world more fully. Cheering is a team sport that requires trust in one another especially when doing difficult stunts. “When you put your identity into your role as a cheerleader and think cheerleading is the only thing that will help you grow as a person, there’s a motivation to participate through pain and do things you wouldn’t normally do,” he said. There are the physical benefits, as well as educational, mental and emotional benefits. Strength Training. That’s why it’s absolutely vital to have doctors and trainers involved in the process. Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to nonathletes. “Similar to any elite skill training, cheerleading can strengthen important neural pathways in our brain,” said Chelsea Pierotti, a mental performance coach for dancers and an instructor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. On the other hand, cheerleaders can develop positive self-talk and a healthy growth mindset if they hear positive messages about effort, growth, persistence, progress and belonging. Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to nonathletes. Cheerleaders frequently have to run, jump and remain physically active for long periods of time. Her experience in cheerleading consists of four years of youth cheer, two years of middle school cheer, and two years and counting of high school cheer. Flexibility. All rights reserved. Lochbaum also noted that dehydration is a risk on long game days, and that there’s a sense of emotional exhaustion as well with the ups and downs of the action. We want to share YOUR story today! “I think a big deal in cheerleading is this notion of identity, this sense of ‘I’m part of the team, I’m a cheerleader, this is what I do.’ In ‘Cheer,’ how many times did you hear something like, ‘If it weren’t for this team, who knows where I’d be?’” said Daniel Czech, a professor of kinesiology at Georgia Southern University. About the Massapequa Mustangs Cheerleading Program. And of course, physical activities like jumping around can release brain chemicals that promote feelings of happiness. Getting young girls involved at an early age teaches important life values such as dedication, teamwork and preparation To do your best at your next competition, Dr. G has the knowledge to help you cheer your best! In cheerleading, learning to communicate is critical. 66.7% of injuries for all female sport catastrophic injuries were cheerleading related injuries. Cheerleading, especially in a college setting, can be absolutely draining. Pierotti believes the finale of “Cheer” captures the power of esteem-boosting growth mindsets. Experts explain the pros and cons of the sport at the center of the Netflix "Cheer" craze. Lifting your own weight while jumping and lifting other girls (lifting your own weight if flying) while stunting equals larger and healthier muscle which supports bones and reduces the likelihood of bone breakage and reduces muscle pain. Love: What Really Matters. For many athletes it’s a feeling of panic and fear,” she explained. “When coaches and/or parents and peers focus on the physical image of a cheerleader, or the inability to hit a skill for example, it is devastating to an athlete’s self-esteem,” Pierotti said. Cheerleading used to literally be a sideline event but today, this is no longer the case. “As a coach, everything you say becomes their inner voice, . It can also be a great way to relax and use excess energy productively after school. “It makes sense because the game day is so long ― about six hours from the pregame excitement all the way to the end without a lot of breaks.”. The injuries may be even more significant in cheerleading than in other sports because of the nature of the stunts and need for immense trust in yourself and your teammates. 12375 World Trade Drive San Diego, CA 92128. “Athletes can find success in many areas of their life as they find success in their sport,” Hennessy said. Emotional Benefits Cheerleading can also help to improve children's mental and emotional health. Social Benefits include encouraging fair competition, developing strong morals, protecting from negative outside influences, and decreasing the likelihood of developing depression or anxiety. The yelling may help them handle the transitions and demands of college more easily, due to the conditioning they endure during the season from their coaches. But Marc Lochbaum, a professor of kinesiology at Texas Tech University, noted that football game days can also be particularly demanding. We're looking for writers from the cheerleading world to join our blog! You’re at a major risk for severe issues like head trauma and broken bones when you cheer. “Let’s take Morgan for example from Navarro Cheer. The teamwork and commitment to the sport teaches skills in leadership, communication, and helps develop self-confidence among other things. In “Cheer,” the athletes often describe their team as a family and share how cheerleading saved them from toxic life circumstances. The trademark of someone with a growth mindset is that they believe effort is always worth it and hard work breeds talent.”. Of course grades are a number one priority, especially in schools where student athletes are required to maintain a certain GPA or grade to continue their activity. When young athletes form strong relationships with their cheer teams and cheer coaches, it can give them an emotional base they can rely on for years. The key principle underpinning the SCE framework and Return to Play Cheerleading Roadmap Chart is that the resumption of Cheerleading should not compromise the Mostly cheerleaders are described negatively as compared to the other athletes. Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to nonathletes. “The brain’s neuroplasticity is its ability to change and adapt to our environment. The bottom line is that giving provides as many benefits … As “Cheer” shows, there are many physical and mental benefits to cheerleading, but there’s also serious potential for drawbacks. “This is what sports like elite cheerleading can do for us mentally,” she said. Cheerleading is the most physically challenging sport in the world. To get a sense of how large the benefits of volunteering were, the researchers compared it to the effects of people’s income. They don’t get much of an off-season compared to other athletes. developing this framework including the physical and psychological benefits of Cheerleading for the 89,000 athletes across the UK, and the economic return of the Cheerleading community. Cheerleaders are well-known for their flexibility, which is seen when performing high … Apart from being a great physical activity, it is a team-based activity that helps in boosting self-confidence and leadership skills. Diaphragmatic breathing reduces the negative effects of stress. In many cases, cheerleading is brutal on the athlete’s self-esteem and mindset. Negative messages from coaches, parents and teammates can foster negative self-talk in cheerleaders who may develop degrading personal mantras, lack of motivation, decreased skill level and even mental health disorders like severe depression and anxiety. The mental and emotional effects of the sport look different in different cheerleaders and often depend on the coach’s approach. Cheerleaders are urged to grin notwithstanding when their team is … Viewers have expressed feeling inspired by the Texas college team’s story, fascinated by the characters’ lives and desperate for more. Interpersonal Communication Skills. Sale. Social connectedness in sports can help athletes deal with in-sport and out-of-sport stressors, increase motivation and improve interpersonal relationships,” Hennessy said. But pay attention to what Coach [Monica] Aldama and Morgan’s teammates keep saying to her,” Pierotti said. Here are just a few of them… Channeling Energy. If you had a healthier self-concept, you think twice about repeating the stunt that caused the injury.”. Cheerleading also gives you the opportunity to meet people and build relationships with your team mates. “You’ve trained for months for two minutes on the floor. “Coach communicates how much she believes in Morgan, even when Morgan isn’t so sure herself. Putting up the tree and adorning your living space with lights and garlands may trigger nostalgia, reminding you of warm holiday memories from your childhood. Select options. These good messages can change pathways in the brain and in turn, boost self-esteem and even athletic performance. The physical portion of cheering is highly strenuous and unforgiving, but the after results are worth the pain and waking up early every morning. When stunting, if a girl isn’t caught she can get seriously injured, or if he/she is jumping or tumbling and gets hurt when landing, cheer is definitely dangerous. “Additionally, they require a great deal of stamina to perform. But things can get a little dangerous when taken to the extreme. “When the team takes the mat for finals in Daytona, imagine what it’s like to be backstage waiting for your team to be called to the floor. What would be going through your mind? “They internalize a sense of mastery and control, which can help to navigate various situations with less anxiety.”. All Star Cheer All Star cheerleading… That feeling of panic carries with them on the floor and they are likely to underperform, or downright choke.”. The Emotional Benefits: The oil of uplifting and cheerfulness Supports you when you’re frustrated, discouraged, exhausted and overwhelmed by showing you life is good Lifts spirits, encourages, brings a sense of relief, and increases hope, happiness, and light-heartedness “Studies have found that athletes are better able to make split-second decisions, have better focus and concentration for longer periods of time, better memories, and they are better able to predict outcomes,” she said. Through winning, losing, and hours of practice and hard work, cheerleading helps girls bond and form lifelong friendships. We are a leader and innovator in the world of cheerleading, committed to providing affordable and high-performance apparel and accessories to cheerleaders of all ages. Her teammates, especially Jerry, because he’s Jerry, yell positivity onto the mat and tell Morgan she’s good enough to do the skills asked of her.”, “Now it’s likely Morgan came onto the team with a growth mindset because of her own personality, history and desire for excellence, but the team helped encourage it,” she continued. Flexibility. Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to nonathletes. Children in gymnastics or cheerleading programs meet new mates, make friends, have fun that ultimately keep their mental health in a good condition. “Psychologically, you’ve got to be mindful of that a little bit because it can lead to unhealthy behavior out of desperation to remain part of that group which forms your identity.”. Cheerleading is an incredible sport in-and-of itself. Muscle flexibility promotes healthy muscle development, which decreases aches and pains and the more flexible a person is, the more the risk of injury is decreased for that individual. It’s been proven that cheerleaders are one of, if not, the strongest athletes around, and an average practice burns about 600 calories. Through winning, losing, and hours of practice and hard work, cheerleading helps girls bond and form lifelong friendships. Through their training, they become more flexible and cultivate muscle memory. So if a cheerleader consistently hears that she doesn’t look right, or he isn’t strong enough, that will be the message they start saying to themselves.”, very detrimental and can cause eating disorders, exercise addiction and other negative things.”, inspired by the Texas college team’s story. Cheerleading not only forms relationships among the girls on the squad, but also helps bring families of team members together. Students in K through 8 th grades who participate in our Cheerleading program are taught the value of perseverance, dedication, social and emotional balance, and teamwork. All-in-all, cheerleading is one of the most physically challenging sports with all the requirements of athleticism, strength, flexibility, coordination, and dedication. It may evoke comforting memories from happier times. Indeed, cheerleaders train their bodies to flip and twist, and combine these elements for stunts and routines. © 2002-2017 Chassé®, All rights reserved. Most Effective Packages. The deep breathing that supports all the yelling is good for you. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Last but not least there’s the emotional side to cheerleading. Your team does become your family, you spend so much time with them and you all become so close. “It’s just the full experience of physical and emotional outlay,” he said. The cardiovascular exercise that forms such an important part of cheerleading can also help... Building Strong Muscles. Our cheer squad is built upon a foundation of valuable life lessons that are critical for young children as they prepare for a more competitive platform in high school. The benefits of physical activities are beyond the general health well-being. Cheerleading teaches important life values such as preparation, dedication and working together as a team. Competitions like the championship shown in “Cheer” require intense training to master difficult routines. Getting young girls involved in cheerleading will benefit them in many ways. The fatigue can make it harder to keep up with the demands of school and lead to poorer performance. Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to nonathletes. More intense routines require stronger cardiovascular health. Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives. Young girls (and boys) who get involved in cheerleading develop mental, physical and emotional advantages. 4. Plus, all the yelling cheerleaders do has a positive effect. LEADERSHIP in Cheerleading: Bringing nothing but your Best. Cheerleading is for sure one of the most dangerous sports around. Football games last around 48 minutes to an hour and a half with timeouts and halftime, and that entire time cheerleaders are active. “You’ve got cardiovascular exercise for those long football games, but then also high-intensity interval training with the stunts. Athletes from youth cheerleading to high school cheerleaders and beyond as they train over the years The deep breathing that supports all the yelling is good for you. As well as, imbue them with a confidence that can come to strengthen their overall personality. It increases the risk of injury as well. Emotional Cheerleading not only forms relationships among the girls on the squad, but also helps bring families of team members together. “Cheerleading is a sport that combines high levels athleticism with significant risk, especially in the area of competitive cheerleading where the stunts are growing increasingly more creative and challenging,” Hennessy said. “There is a social aspect of the sport that allows cheerleaders to feel connected with their teammates. Holiday decorations may trigger positive memories from childhood that can be comforting and spark joy. “Even through pain and challenges, Morgan doesn’t quit. Cheerleading Health Benefits Cardio Supremacy. “As a coach, everything you say becomes their inner voice. “You can have concussions, ligament injuries, bone breaks, all that kind of stuff, but it’s almost like a badge of honor. Your email address will not be published. Morgan knew that she wanted to be a cheerleader when she saw her cousin show her family her cheerleading skills at a family picnic, and now cheer is what her life revolves around. The identity issue that Czech observed can also play into the injury risk. The main benefits of Cheerleading. Cheerleading consists of many factors that can benefit you in a variety of ways, like your health and wellbeing. If you or your child wants to start cheering, here are some of the benefits that can be … Sports promotes the importance of dedication, desire, preparation, and perseverance, important qualities to have in the future. And while football and basketball players get some time on the bench, cheerleaders have to be “on” much more consistently. All the jumping, dance routines, and movement increases heart rate, which over time can improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risk of strokes and heart attacks while the lower blood pressure improves stamina. Athletes deal with in-sport and out-of-sport stressors, increase motivation and improve interpersonal relationships, ” she.! Children as they find success in many areas of their life as they find success in sport. Desperate for more Bringing nothing but your best world or pondered getting on. Strong Muscles also help... Building Strong Muscles are just a few of them… Channeling energy that... Two minutes on the floor and they are likely to underperform, or downright choke. ”,! Motivation and improve interpersonal relationships, ” the athletes often describe their team as coach... Cheerleading related injuries games last around 48 minutes to an hour and a with... Of ways, like your health and wellbeing to flip and twist, perseverance... 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