Lord said the academy's policy mirrors many of his group's safety recommendations for high schools and colleges.
That includes limiting the height of human pyramids in high school cheerleading to just two people. The academy also says routines that include pyramids, tumbling or tosses should not be performed on hard surfaces.
Lisa Kluchorosky, a sports medicine specialist who works with the academy and the National Athletic Trainers Association, said the new policy will help erase misconceptions that cheerleading is not very athletic.
"The statistics are compelling and you can't turn your head from that," she said.
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