Injuries in intercollegiate rodeo athletes.
Abstract: Collegiate rodeo athletes (N = 156) in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region, were examined for injuries during a 7 month (10 rodeo) season from 1987 to 1988. Sixty-two athletes sustained a total of 138 acute injuries resulting from 3292 exposures. One hundred twenty-seven injuries (92% of total injuries) occurred in the roughstock and steer wrestling events, and 11 injuries (8%) occurred in the roping and female events. When calculating opportunity for injury, rodeo athletes face an 89% potential for injury per season. Ninety-one of the injuries incurred were upper body injuries; 47 were lower body injuries. A 6:1 exposure to injury ratio among roughstock events exemplifies the magnitude of injury potential in this sport, affecting 25% of roughstock competitors. Contusions, strains, and concussions comprised 42%, 16%, and 11% of the total injuries, respectively, whereas fractures and dislocations comprised only 5% of the total. Twenty-three percent of the injuries occurred during the completion of an athlete's ride, with 21% of injuries attributed to equipment mishaps. Frequency of injury by performance, relation of seasonal participation and exposure to injury, orthotic care, use of conditioning programs, medication history, and need for enhanced sports medicine education in this sport are discussed.
Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 2301693DOI: 10.1177/036354659001800114Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article summarizes a study analyzing the rate and severity of injuries suffered by intercollegiate rodeo athletes in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region, over a seven-month season. The study found a high rate of injury among the athletes, especially in certain events, and makes recommendations for reducing injury potential.
Study Sample and Duration
- The study included 156 student athletes participating in intercollegiate rodeo competitions during the 1987-1988 season.
- The season spanned 7 months and included 10 rodeos.
Injury Rates and Types
- Out of the 3292 exposures to potential injury, 138 incidents of acute injuries were registered, affecting 62 athletes.
- The majority of the injuries, accounting for 92%, happened during roughstock events and steer wrestling. Roping and female events constituted only 8% of the injuries.
- The study found that rodeo athletes face an 89% potential for injury per season.
- A breakdown of the injuries showed that upper body injuries were more common (91 cases) compared to lower body injuries (47 cases).
- The risk of injury was especially high in roughstock events, with a 6:1 ratio of exposure to injury. About a quarter of the athletes in these events suffered from injuries.
Nature of Injuries and Contributing Factors
- The most common types of injuries were contusions, strains, and concussions, accounting for 42%, 16%, and 11% of total injuries respectively.
- Fractures and dislocations were less common, representing only 5% of the total injuries.
- About 23% of the injuries occurred during the completion of an athlete’s ride, while 21% were due to equipment mishaps.
Implications and Recommendations
- The study underlines the high risk of injury in intercollegiate rodeo and calls for mitigative measures.
- Recommendations include enhanced sports medicine education, conditioning programs, orthotic care, and reforms to equipment use to prevent injury.
- The study also suggests further research into the relationship between seasonal participation and exposure to injury, as well as the use of medication in this sport.
Cite This Article
APA
Meyers MC, Elledge JR, Sterling JC, Tolson H.
(1990).
Injuries in intercollegiate rodeo athletes.
Am J Sports Med, 18(1), 87-91.
https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659001800114 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Fort Bend Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Associates, Sugar Land, Texas 77478.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Bandages
- Braces
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- United States
Citations
This article has been cited 6 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.
- Boham M, O'Connell K. Unusual mechanism of injury resulting in a thoracic chance fracture in a rodeo athlete: a case report.. J Athl Train 2014 Mar-Apr;49(2):274-9.
- Meyers MC, Laurent CM Jr. The rodeo athlete: injuries - Part II.. Sports Med 2010 Oct 1;40(10):817-39.
- Meyers MC, Laurent CM Jr. The rodeo athlete: sport science: part I.. Sports Med 2010 May 1;40(5):417-31.
- Costa-Paz M, Aponte-Tinao L, Muscolo DL. Injuries to polo riders: a prospective evaluation.. Br J Sports Med 1999 Oct;33(5):329-31; discussion 331-2.
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