--- title: "Bring It On: AMA Recognizes Cheerleading As A Sport" id: "23707" type: "post" slug: "bring-it-on-ama-recognizes-cheerleading-as-a-sport" published_at: "2014-06-18T17:52:11+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T04:18:44+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/06/18/bring-it-on-ama-recognizes-cheerleading-as-a-sport/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/06/18/bring-it-on-ama-recognizes-cheerleading-as-a-sport.md" excerpt: "During its annual meeting last week, the American Medical Association approved a policy recognizing cheerleading as a sport. With the new policy, AMA will support increased safety measures and proper training for coaches." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "cheerleading" - "injury prevention" - "Leadership" - "Safety" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Bring It On: AMA Recognizes Cheerleading As A Sport If you’ve ever seen a group of cheerleaders hoisting each other into the air, you are probably aware of the rigors and potential dangers they face while performing. Recognizing the risk involved in cheerleading, the American Medical Association decided last week to adopt an official policy declaring cheerleading a sport, [according to the Associated Press (opens in a new tab)](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/10/ama-cheerleading-sport/10272941/) . “These girls are flipping 10, 20 feet in the air,” pediatrician Samantha Rosman told AMA delegates during a floor debate before the association voted on the policy. “We need to stand up for what is right for our patients and demand they get the same protection as their football colleagues.” Cheerleading is a leading cause of catastrophic injury in female athletes, Rosman added. In recognizing cheerleading as a sport, the AMA supports added safety measures, such as rules for performing stunts properly, and proper training for coaches. A [report (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cheersafe.org/recent-cheerleading-safety-studies-show-cheer-injury-rates-low-major-injuries-drastically-reduced/) by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators found that catastrophic injuries among cheerleaders have been on a steady decline since 2005—the year additional safety rules and training were put into place. AACCA, along with the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS), created an online risk-management course for spirit coaches. The course meets requirements for both NCAA and high school coaches. NFHS, the U.S. rule-setting body for interscholastic sports, is also behind the online course “Concussion in Sports,” which aims to help coaches, parents, and students recognize and properly treat concussion injuries in high school athletes. The course [received its one millionth hit](http://associationsnow.com/2013/09/high-school-sports-group-tackles-concussion-crisis/) last August. Meanwhile, cheerleading achieved another victory in Texas days after the AMA’s policy adoption. The state’s rulemaking body—the University Interscholastic League, which creates rules for academic, music, and athletic contests—approved a one-year pilot program for a league-sanctioned cheerleading competition, [according to The Dallas Morning News (opens in a new tab)](http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/high-schools/headlines/20140611-cheerleading-to-have-its-shot-to-become-part-of-uil-in-2015-16-school-year.ece) . The “Game-Day Cheer” competition will allow participating squads to showcase their pep rally and sideline routines to a wider audience than just their home-team fans. (IPGGutenbergUKLtd/ThinkStock) [Katie Bascuas](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Katie Bascuas is a former associate editor at Associations Now in Washington, DC. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Tags: [#cheerleading](https://associationsnow.com/tag/cheerleading/) [#injury prevention](https://associationsnow.com/tag/injury-prevention/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#Safety](https://associationsnow.com/tag/safety/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: All for the Love of Chicago: Rethinking the Destination ExperienceSeptember 10, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/10/associations-now-presents-all-for-the-love-of-chicago-rethinking-the-destination-experience/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F06%2F18%2Fbring-it-on-ama-recognizes-cheerleading-as-a-sport%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !