The rodeo athlete: injuries - Part II.

A previous instalment to this review focused on the sport science for rodeo, the history behind the sport and what is currently known about the physical and physiological status, coronary risk profile, strength and power levels, event-specific kinesiological and biomechanical aspects, nutritional habits and psychological indices associated with the rodeo athlete. In regards to injury, rodeo is well known for its high-velocity, high-impact atmosphere where athletes compete against the clock and uncooperative livestock. Considered by many to be a dangerous sport with high vulnerability towards trauma and frequent injuries, animal/human contact events comprise ∼80% of reported injuries. Severe trauma includes fractures, dislocations, subluxations, concussions, ligament ruptures, pneumothorax and various neurapraxias. Head and neck trauma account for 10-29% of total trauma and up to 63% of upper body injuries, with concussion incidence rates of 3.4 per 1000 competitive exposures. The incidence of thoracic, back and abdominal injuries comprise 11-84% of trauma, while shoulder injuries, involving anterior/posterior arthralgia, inflammation, instability and increasing weakness, account for 8-15% of upper extremity cases. Lower extremity trauma accounts for 26-34% of cases, with the majority involving the knee. Many believe that the incidence of trauma is underestimated, with studies hampered by numerous limitations such as a lack of injury awareness, missing data, poor injury recall, an array of reporting sources, delays in subject response and treatment, no uniform definition of injury or reporting system and predisposing factors prior to injury. Primary mechanisms of injuries are attributed to physical immaturity, fatigue, age and experience, behaviour, the violent nature of the sport and lack of adequate medical intervention. Although there is limited adherence to organized conditioning programmes, when properly planned, sport-specific conditioning may enhance athletic potential, minimize predisposition to injury and enhance recovery. Education in care and rehabilitation should be spearheaded by the medical community to reduce injury, as several studies have linked trauma to poor technique, inexperience and poor judgement. Medical services should encompass emergency medical oversight for trauma at all levels and press toward preventive care. Competitors should also be cognizant of the signs and symptoms of overtraining, a condition exacerbated by overuse and minimal recovery. The use of helmets, taping, bracing, protective vests, cervical collars and mouthpieces is gaining popularity but has not been thoroughly studied. Guidelines requiring padding of chutes, gates or equipment essential for performance may also avert trauma. Whether increases in knowledge, education and technology are able to reduce predisposition to injury among this population, remains to be seen. As with all high-risk sports, the answer may lie in increased wisdom and responsibility of coaches and athletes to ensure an adequate level of ability, self-control and common sense as they compete in this sport.