April 2, 2007 — -- As high school and college cheerleaders face increased pressure to perform gravity-defying leaps and flips, they are becoming vulnerable to permanent injury -- even death.

“In fact, it is a full-contact, extreme sport.” If a school or group considers cheerleading a sport, it is subject to strict safety regulations that can limit the dangers, such as the height of ...

CHICAGO (AP) — Cheerleading isn’t just jumping and waving pompoms — it has become as athletic and potentially as dangerous as a sport and should be designated one to improve safety, the nation’s ...