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SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

Building Sport-Specific Conditioning for Rodeo Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment

Approach

Background: Rodeo athletes face unique physical demands characterized by explosive strength, dynamic balance, and high injury risk across events such as bull riding, barrel racing, and roping. Despite these demands, collegiate rodeo programs often lack access to structured, evidence-based strength and conditioning resources. This project aimed to address this gap through development of a sport-specific training program. Methods: A mixed-methods needs assessment was conducted integrating qualitative interviews with coaches and athletes alongside quantitative systematic observation of practices. Qualitative data identified training philosophies, logistical constraints, and the importance of “rodeo relevance” for athlete engagement. Quantitative measures included core activation, hip alignment, dismount mechanics, shoulder stability (Y-Balance and Athletic Shoulder Test), and frequency of high-stress movements. Results: Findings informed the development of an 8-week dual-facility strength and conditioning program combining high-intensity, sport-specific drills with foundational training. Exercises targeted core stability, grip strength, rotational power, and dismount efficiency, while addressing common injury mechanisms and improving athlete engagement. Conclusion: This project establishes a proactive injury mitigation framework and provides a replicable, evidence-based model for non-traditional sports. Future research will include pre- and post-intervention performance testing and longitudinal injury tracking to evaluate program effectiveness and sustainability.

Faculty Advisor

Justin Montney

Department/Program

Health and Human Performance

Submission Type

in-person poster

Date

4-8-2026

Rights

Copyright the Author(s)

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