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Biomechanical Comparison Of "Old" And "New" Cheer Shoes In Collegiate Cheerleaders, Abigail C. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: The sport of cheerleading requires that athletes perform with a high degree of flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance. The leading injury in cheerleading is a lateral, inversion, ankle sprain. As footwear serves as an interface between the foot and the surrounding environment, characteristics of shoes should be monitored to determine the effects on proprioceptive communication. No previous literature was found that examined the biomechanical differences between “Old” and “New” shoes in collegiate cheerleaders. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical differences exhibited by collegiate cheerleaders while performing balance testing and step-down, landing tasks in “old” …