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Baseline Testing for Rodeo Athletes

Football-level concussion rates in a culture built on not reporting injuries.

3 min read

Professional bull riding produces concussions at rates comparable to or exceeding those in football, according to data from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) injury surveillance program. Bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing also carry significant head injury risk.

The sport’s culture of toughness — “cowboy up” — creates barriers to injury reporting that parallel those in combat sports. Baseline testing introduces objectivity to a culture that values subjective toughness.

At Headquarters, we work with rodeo athletes and their families to establish objective baseline data that can support better injury decisions. See the cultural value of baselines for more.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How do rodeo concussion rates compare to football?
Professional bull riding produces concussions at rates comparable to or exceeding those in football, per the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) injury surveillance program.
Which rodeo disciplines carry head injury risk?
Bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing all carry significant head injury risk.
Why is rodeo concussion reporting underreported?
The sport's culture of toughness — 'cowboy up' — creates barriers to injury reporting similar to combat sports.
How does baseline testing help?
It introduces objectivity to a culture that values subjective toughness. A baseline provides a comparison point that doesn't require the athlete to admit feeling impaired.

Objective data for a subjective culture.

Baseline testing gives rodeo athletes a way to make injury decisions based on measurement — not just how they feel.

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