BaselinesSport-specific baselines
Baseline Testing for Rodeo Athletes
Football-level concussion rates in a culture built on not reporting injuries.
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.
When to re-baseline
Plan every year before the first competition for athletes under 18, and annually for adults in rodeo. Always capture a new baseline after medical clearance from a concussion, after invalid or low-effort test results, when ADHD or other cognition-affecting medications change, or after 12+ months away from the sport.
See the sports baseline & re-baseline directory, how often to re-baseline, and the complete by-sport guide.