Survey analysis to assess the effectiveness of the bull tough helmet in preventing head injuries in bull riders: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of the Bull Tough helmet (Bull Tough, Seguin, TX) in preventing head injuries to bull riders. The hypothesis was that this helmet is effective in diminishing the incidence of head injuries in bull riders.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective study.


METHODS
Surveys were mailed to 320 purchasers of the Bull Tough helmet. Participants were asked to recall the numbers of rides performed in 1999 while wearing the helmet and the number of rides performed in 1999 while not wearing the helmet. In addition, they were asked to provide the number and severity of head injuries suffered in 1999 both while wearing the helmet and while not wearing the helmet.


METHODS
Participants responding to the survey were bull riders from the United States and Canada.


METHODS
Eighty-one riders responded to the survey.


METHODS
The primary outcome measurements were planned before data collection began and included the incidence of head injuries to bull riders both while wearing the helmet and while not wearing the helmet.


RESULTS
While not wearing a helmet, the incidence of head injury was 1.54% per ride (11 head injuries/713 rides). While wearing the helmet, the incidence of head injury was 0.80% per ride (28 head injuries/3,518 rides). Using the X(2) test, the p value was 0.0570.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the hypothesis that the Bull Tough helmet diminishes the incidence of head injury in bull riders.
Brandenburg
Mark A
MA
Trauma Emergency Center, St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136, USA. MBrand2435@aol.com
Archer
Pam
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports