As the sun beats down on the high school track, about 70 young athletes engage in strength and conditioning workouts, exercises, drills and more.

It was a recent summer camp, and although it didn't officially begin in Mt. Lebanon until Aug. 13, the participants had three 1 1/2-hour conditioning and workout practices per week from mid-June onward.

"We are classified as a sport, and we treat participants as athletes," said varsity cheerleader coach and program coordinator Katy Phillips, 28, of the grueling summer camp's many hours of practice.

When the varsity football season starts this weekend, the 27-member varsity cheerleading squad will be ready on the sidelines. The activity, as their coaches are quick to tell you, is a lot more than looking pretty and yelling for the home team.

"A lot of people don't realize the work that goes into it, but it's probably one of the hardest sports,'' said Ashley Contristano, 23, varsity cheerleading coach for Keystone Oaks School District.

"These girls are gymnasts, and all their movements take tons of precision," Ms. Contristano said.

"They utilize most of the muscles in their body in doing stunts, tumbling, or dancing," she added.

In the Bethel Park School District, a camp for freshmen through senior cheerleaders was held at Slippery Rock University the last week of June.

Under sometimes harsh summer conditions, the girls learned new cheers, dances and pyramid and partner stunts.

"My favorite bit of advice is 'Bring your sunscreen,' " said varsity coach Sandy Thorsen, 46.

Then, in August, a two-week camp was held at the high school for all four of the district's squads. Private instructors were retained for two days of stunting and building pyramids.

"People don't understand that cheerleaders are athletes," Ms. Thorsen said.

"They have to be in good physical shape to do all that they do," she said.

Depending on the district, cheerleaders also perform at boys' and girls' basketball games, wrestling matches, boys' and girls' soccer games and more. Some also compete against other squads for possible selection to compete at the national competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in March.

In Keystone Oaks School District, a small camp for cheerleaders up to grade six was held at the high school for a week that was run by the older cheerleaders.

The 16 varsity cheerleaders had conditioning practices and strength training twice a week all summer long.

Indoor practices ran for 2 1/2 hours, followed by a 30- to 40-minute workout, including outdoor track runs.

A choreographer was contracted to help on stunting, tumbling, dance and cheers.

In the McKeesport Area School District, which did not hold a camp, practice for the district's 27 cheerleaders in grades nine through 12 began about mid-June for three nights a week, at least two hours a session, all summer long in the high school gym.

As in the other districts, with the start of school, practices are held in the evenings.

In McKeesport, that is two nights a week for two hours.

"It's about being the best they can be," said Abby Virag, 23, head coach.

While the four head coaches -- all former cheerleaders and holders of full-time jobs outside their respective districts -- are compensated for their services, it is a pittance compared with the hours of sweat, preparation and creativity they invest in their programs.

So why do they do it? "I cheered from the time I was in first or second grade, and it was a huge part of my life growing up and a really positive experience," Ms. Virag said.

"After college, I wanted to be able to spend time giving back to the other girls," she said.

Their goals for the girls transcend cheerleading performances to learning to be a team member, developing leadership skills and building self-esteem.

"As the sport is constantly evolving with more difficult stunts, it presents the girls with new challenges and something to work toward to experience that achievement," Mrs. Phillips said.

Becoming actively involved in the community also is stressed, such as helping with fundraising for charity at halftime of sporting events; marching in holiday parades; and -- as the Mt. Lebanon squad did recently -- holding a cheerleading clinic at a summer camp in Prospect Park in Whitehall, which is home to refugees from more than 43 countries.

"I really like being a part of not only cheerleading but in helping them grow into young leaders," Miss Contristano said.

"I hope that all the girls are successful not only in cheerleading but in life, and any assistance I can lend in that regard is readily given," she said.