Strength and Conditioning of a Rodeo Athlete
If anyone has ever watched a rodeo, they see speed, power, and a great sense of athleticism in both the contestants and ins the animals. All rodeo events require the contestant’s ability to channel their strength and energy into what they do, but calf ropers have to be quick to think, react, and perform. Calf ropers are located deep into the box with a chute nearby where their calf is released when the roper nods their head.In addition, these athletes also have their “piggin string” in their mouth. They then have to be explosive and dismount off their horse, follow the rope to the calf, and “flank” the calf to the ground where they take their piggin string and huddle three feet together where the calf cannot get back up. All of these actions together require a great amount of power and speed. Not to mention, this event is normally done in 8-10 seconds! In order to perform at this elite level, these athletes have to conditioned in the aspects of agility and strength.
In order for the athlete to develop the explosiveness and quickness required of calf roping demands, plyometric training may be of benefit.1 The incorporation of sport-specific movements should be the main focus of plyometric training. For example, after jumping from the horse, the athlete must do an all-out sprint to reach the calf. A plyometric exercise that would mimic this part of the event might be a depth jump, followed by a brief all-out sprint of less than 10 seconds’ duration. Other training such as sprint, strength, and rotator cuff training is necessary for a calf roper to reach the elite level.
Workout
no. Exercise Sets Repetitions
1 20-yd sprints 8–15
2 Box jumps 3 3–6
Depth jumps, followed
by 10 meter sprint 3 3–6
Squat jumps 3 3–6
Each exercise should be followed by 2–3 minutes’ rest.
Plyometric exercises should not be done more than twice a
week; traditional weight training may be substituted for plyometrics.
On rest days, the rodeo athlete would do sport specific
training (actual horseback riding, roping, etc.).1
- Raether, J., Sanders, M., & Antonio, J. (2000). Strength and conditioning for the rodeo athlete. / Preparation physique des pratiquants du rodeo. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 22(4), 31-34.
noticing a current trend in bull riding with such riders like guilerme marchi, the gym aspect of rodeo is becoming a new standard. But as we see in other sports over working causing injuries, do you see this being an issue in rodeo where there has to be an equal amount of flexibility as strength?
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