The Science Behind Sports

Cheerleading
Author Heather Schwartz
Published by Lucent Books

Lucent's new title, Science behind Sports: Cheerleading, focuses on the biomechanical and physical principles behind the chants and stunts of sideline and competitive cheerleading. Author Heather Schwartz discusses the similarities between dance and cheerleading and the physical and psychological challenges faced by cheerleaders. Also addressed is the intense debate over whether or not cheerleading should be classified as an athletic sport or activity, and how this designation could affect athletes and athletic programs.

Review:

"By combining science and sports, the publisher has figured out a way to engage teenagers in learning about the physical and psychological needs of each sport, about the physical science concepts involved in playing each sport and about the treatment of sports-related injuries. Recommendations: All middle school and high school libraries need this series. The science teacher could organize the science curriculum around it or use it as a resource when teaching a particular lesson."
--Tri State Young Adult Book Review Committee, September 2011