Sports

Cheerleading is a Sport, Says American Medical Association

By approving the new policy, the AMA is suggesting better safety measures in cheerleading.

Written by Les Masterson

The American Medical Association has declared that cheerleading is a sport because of its “rigors and risks,” according to the Associated Press.

The nation’s large doctors’ association adopted that policy during its annual meeting in Chicago this week. 

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The AMA declared that “cheerleading is as rigorous as many other activities that high schools and the NCAA consider sports.”

By approving the new policy, the AMA is suggesting better safety measures in cheerleading.

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The New York State Board of Regents voted in April to recognize cheerleading as an official interscholastic sport. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics approved a similar policy two years ago.

Read the full Associated Press article. 

Whether cheerleading is a sport has been a contentious sports debate for years. One side says the cheerleaders train just as hard as any other athletes. Detractors say any competition that is judged isn't a sport. What do you think? Is cheerleading a sport? Vote in the poll above and share your thoughts in the comment section below. 


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