Analysis of 4 Years of Injury in Professional Rodeo.
Abstract: To analyze injury frequency, density, location, type, mechanism of injury (MOI), activity phase of injury, and injury risk in professional rodeo. Retrospective epidemiological review. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeos from 2011 to 2014. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors competing in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, and steer wrestling. Injury reports were documented by sports medicine personnel. Variables assessed include event, frequency, density, location, type, MOI, activity phase of injury, and injury density. A total of 2305 injuries from 139,098 competitor exposures (CEs) were reported, demonstrating overall injury density of 16.6 injuries per 1000 CEs (95% confidence interval, 0.016-0.017) and overall risk of injury of 1.69%. Rough stock riders accounted for 88.7% of all injuries. Bull riders, bareback riders, and saddle bronc riders demonstrated injury densities of 48.2, 41.1, and 23.2 injuries per 1000 CEs, respectively. Most injuries (62.9%) were sustained by collisions with the ground or animal, or being stomped on by the animal. Contusions, sprains, and concussions were the most frequent injury types (23.1%, 13.6%, and 11.6%, respectively). Neurological components, knees, and shoulders were the most injured body parts (13.4%, 11.1%, and 11.0%, respectively). Most injuries (36.8%) occurred during or immediately after the dismount. Rough stock events have the greatest risk of injury in professional rodeo, whereas steer wrestling has the greatest risk of injury for timed event athletes. Medical professionals should use these findings to implement prevention programming where possible.
Publication Date: 2018-09-01 PubMed ID: 30169344DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000654Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study focuses on the frequency, location, type, and mechanism of injuries among professional rodeo competitors. Over a four-year period from 2011 to 2014, the study examines how these injuries occur and which events pose the greatest risk, with the aim of establishing prevention strategies.
Methodology
- The study is a retrospective epidemiological review, looking back at past data from Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeos.
- It covers six competitive events: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, and steer wrestling.
- Sports medicine personnel documented injury reports.
- Variables considered in the analysis include event, frequency, location, type, mechanism of injury, activity phase of injury, and injury density.
Findings
- A total of 2,305 injuries from 139,098 competitor exposures (CEs) were reported. This results in an overall injury density of 16.6 injuries per 1,000 CEs and an overall risk of injury of 1.69%.
- Rough stock riders (participating in bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding) accounted for 88.7% of all injuries. Specifically, bull riders suffered the most, with an injury density of 48.2 per 1,000 CEs.
- The most frequent mode of injury (62.9%) included collisions with the ground or animal, or being stomped on by the animal.
- The most common injury types were contusions, sprains, and concussions, accounting for 23.1%, 13.6%, and 11.6% of injuries respectively.
- Regarding injury location, neurological components, knees, and shoulders were most frequently injured, contributing to 13.4%, 11.1%, and 11.0% of injuries respectively.
- The majority of injuries (36.8%) occurred during or just after dismounting.
- Of the event types, rough stock events carried the highest overall risk of injury. Among timed events, steer wrestling presented the most risk.
Implications
- This study provides crucial insights into injury patterns among professional rodeo competitors. The findings could serve as a basis for creating targeted prevention strategies.
- Given the high frequency and risk of injuries, it’s imperative for medical professionals to devise measures that could minimize hazards, especially in rough stock events and steer wrestling.
Cite This Article
APA
Sinclair Elder AJ, Nilson CJ, Elder CL.
(2018).
Analysis of 4 Years of Injury in Professional Rodeo.
Clin J Sport Med, 30(6), 591-597.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000654 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / classification
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Brain Concussion / epidemiology
- Brain Concussion / etiology
- Cattle
- Confidence Intervals
- Contusions / epidemiology
- Contusions / etiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Knee Injuries / epidemiology
- Knee Injuries / etiology
- Occupational Injuries / classification
- Occupational Injuries / epidemiology
- Occupational Injuries / etiology
- Outcome Assessment, Health Care
- Probability
- Retrospective Studies
- Shoulder Injuries / epidemiology
- Shoulder Injuries / etiology
- Sprains and Strains / epidemiology
- Sprains and Strains / etiology
References
This article includes 10 references
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- National Collegiate Athletic Association. NCAA Injury Surveillance System (ISS). Available at: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/ncaa/academics+and+athletes/personal+welfare/iss/index.html. Accessed March 26, 2017.
- Fleck SJ, Falkel JE. Value of resistance training for the reduction of sports injuries. Sports Med 1986;3:61–68.
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Seifert CL, Rogers M, Helmer SD, Ward JG, Haan JM. Rodeo Trauma: Outcome Data from 10 Years of Injuries. Kans J Med 2022;15:208-211.
- Sinclair Elder AJ, Tincknell R. Epidemiology of Hip Injuries in Professional Rodeo: A 4-Year Analysis. Orthop J Sports Med 2020 Oct;8(10):2325967120959321.
- Carlson CD, Miller JJ, Dorman JC, Valentine VD, Munce TA. Head Acceleration Events in Collegiate Rodeo Athletes. Ann Biomed Eng 2026 Jan;54(1):262-269.
- Box MW, Wilson F, Pasque CB, Smith CD. Characteristics of Rodeo Injuries and Suggestions for Injury Prevention: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med 2024 Apr;12(4):23259671241227217.
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