Self-reported injury history in Native American professional rodeo competitors.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of rodeo injury and the use of protective equipment.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Indian National Finals Rodeo 2004 in San Jacinto, CA.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-nine native American, professional rodeo competitors.


RESULTS
On-site survey completed before competition. A total of 180 native American competitors received the survey. Respondents reported the event of participation, prior injury histories (including number, type and disability), use of protective equipment, and access to health care.


METHODS
Main outcomes were determined before survey distribution and included self-reported injury rate, time away from rodeo secondary to injury, and protective equipment usage during competition.


RESULTS
Total 94% response rate. There was a range of injury history-from 100% of bull riders to only 24% of tie-down ropers-reporting a history of injuries. Forty percent of competitors reported using protective equipment; of these, 32% reported wearing vests. Twenty-six percent of the competitors had a history of injury that prevented them from working an average of 3.2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
As hypothesized, a greater injury rate resulted from rough stock events; older competitors are more likely to have had work time loss from injury; and vests are the most frequently used protective equipment in rodeo.
Crichlow
Renée
R
Montana Family Medicine Residency Program, University of Washington WWAMI Network, USA. Reneec4@u.washington.edu
Williamson
Steve
S
Geurin
Mike
M
Heggem
Heather
H
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors