Jumping, tumbling, dancing, throwing, catching, kicking: these are all elements of cheerleading. Even though cheerleading involves so much strength, skill, and endurance, some people still do not consider cheer a sport.

The definition of cheerleading is a sport that uses a combination of organized routine made from elements of tumbling dance, jump, and stunting.

Americans don’t think it is a sport because most sports are played with a ball or an activity that the NCAA says is a sport.

Some other athletes have no idea what it takes to be a cheerleader. Cheerleading does involve physical exertion and skill.

Cheerleading is the number one cause of serious injuries to female athletes. Cheerleaders do not wear any type of protective gear and get hurt more than any other sport. Emergency room visits for cheerleaders are five times more frequent than in any other sport.

Over the past 25 years, high school cheerleaders accounted for 65.7 percent of all major athletic injuries.

They use the space they have even if the ceilings are not the proper height they need to perform stunts. Since most schools do not see cheer as a sport, often times they don’t have the matting needed.

Cheerleading involves much more than just what is seen at an average basketball or football game.

Lastly, cheerleaders work just as hard as any other athlete and train just as much. Colleges and high school cheerleaders compete for national championships against other squads and risk terrible injury; some even get recruited for scholarships. In most cases, cheerleaders put in as much practice (if not more) as the football team. People should recognize cheering as an actual sport.