Scheduled for Exercise Physiology and Fitness, Biomechanics and Sports Medicine Posters, Friday, April 4, 2003, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall A


Muscular Fitness Profile of Collegiate Cheerleaders

Ashley L. Miller, David Q. Thomas, Beth Ann Young, Tara L. Holmes, Tami K. Rudsell and Jeffrey G. Seegmiller, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Cheerleading involves the performance of skills requiring a high degree of muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and courage. Very little information, however, is available on the physiological characteristics of collegiate cheerleaders. The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data describing the muscular fitness characteristics of a squad of collegiate cheerleaders. Seven female (age: 19.4 ± 1.1 yrs; ht: 157.4 ± 2.8 cm; wt: 53.5 ± 4.4 kg) and nine male (age: 20.1 ± 1.6 yrs; ht: 177.3 ± 5.7 cm; wt: 89.7 ± 12.4 kg) collegiate varsity cheerleaders were tested to determine hamstring flexibility (sit-and-reach: F=44.9 ± 7.0 cm; M=35.1 ± 12.7 cm), upper body muscular strength (bench press max: F=81.4 ± 17.0 lbs; M=226.1 ± 42.3 lbs), abdominal endurance (sit-ups: F=64.7 ± 18.7; M=55.8 ± 24.0), upper body muscular endurance (push ups: F=24.3 ± 7.6; M=40.3 ± 11.9), and dominant leg concentric extensor isokinetic leg strength at 60 degrees per second (peak torque percent body weight: F=75.1 ± 6.9%; M=85.1 ± 23.3%). When compared to norms from the ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, the flexibility scores place the men at the 70th percentile and the women beyond the 90th percentile based on gender and age. The bench press maximum scores place the men and women at the 60th percentile. Both men and women scored beyond the 80th percentile for abdominal endurance. The men scored at the 90th percentile for push-ups and the women scored at the 75th percentile. Leg strength scores were also in the high fit range. The results revealed that the muscular fitness levels of these collegiate cheerleaders were equivalent to those observed in other college level athletes.

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