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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
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A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
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Head Acceleration Events in Collegiate Rodeo Athletes
Colton D Carlson1, Jacob J Miller1,2, Jason C Dorman3,4
1Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Collegiate rodeo athletes experience numerous head acceleration events (HAEs) during competition. Whiplash, not direct impact, is the most common cause, varying by event.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Repetitive head impacts in sports raise concerns for long-term brain health.
- Head impacts in rodeo, particularly roughstock events, remain understudied.
- Understanding head acceleration events (HAEs) is crucial for athlete safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track and characterize HAEs in collegiate rodeo athletes.
- To investigate HAEs in Bareback, Saddle Bronc, and Bull Riding events.
- To identify the frequency and mechanisms of HAEs in rodeo.
Main Methods:
- Instrumented mouthguards were used to record HAEs.
- 13 collegiate rodeo athletes participated across NIRA-sanctioned competitions.
- HAEs were video-verified and categorized by cause.
Main Results:
- 344 HAEs were captured across 112 monitored rides.
- Bareback riding showed the highest HAE frequency but lowest median linear acceleration.
- Whiplash was the predominant mechanism of HAE, surpassing direct head contact.
Conclusions:
- Collegiate rodeo athletes in roughstock events sustain significant HAEs.
- HAEs vary by specific event (Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding).
- The mechanism of HAE, primarily whiplash, differs across events.
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