The popularity of mechanical bull riding at places like amusement parks and corporate events is on the rise in India too. But with this fun activity comes some serious risks, especially for kids. A study by health experts at Loma Linda University Children’s Health has shown just how alarming these risks are, revealing that kids are getting hurt way too often when riding mechanical bulls.
They’re getting hurt so much that experts are calling for stricter safety rules and regulations to make sure everyone stays safe while having fun.
Titled “Mechanical Bull Injuries in Pediatric Patients: A Call for Safety Regulations,” highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and regulations.
The findings are published in the journal Children’s Health Care and revealed that mechanical bull riding poses a significant risk to children, with traumatic brain injuries being the most common outcome.
“Mechanical bulls, even when advertised as ‘children friendly’ are far from safe and are a real public health concern,” said Martin G. Rosenthal, MD, assistant professor of surgery at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) and corresponding author of the study.
LLUCH has identified up to 35 cases over seven years, each resulting in severe injuries. Over 65% of these cases involved severe brain injuries, and more than half of all children required immediate surgical intervention. “Our study, one of the largest examining mechanical bull riding injuries in children, reveals that most injuries occur at private events where mechanical bulls are rented from vendors,” said Sina Asaadi, MD, MBA, a research fellow and lead author of the study. “This suggests that the actual number of injuries may be higher than reported, indicating potential underreporting.”Long-term consequences of brain injuries include memory issues, severe headaches, nausea, seizures, and possible learning disabilities, to name a few.
Rehabilitation for these patients is intensive, involving physical, occupational, and speech therapies, sometimes extending over months and years.
“Several other studies from southern California have reported similar findings and there appears to be a proclivity of these injuries occurring in our own backyard,” said Rosenthal.
The machine replicates the sensation of riding a bull and is designed to dismount the rider, although most are thrown off to land on inflatable or padded flooring. Mechanical bull riding is typically reserved for adults; however, there are modified versions of the machine for children.
Yet another study, ‘No more bull: pediatric head injuries as a result of mechanical bull rides’, says that mechanical bulls have an inherent risk of high-force trauma. “We reviewed a series of pediatric patients who suffered head injuries/skull fractures caused by mechanical bull riding, many of which required surgical intervention. We recommend the introduction of increased safety measures and better age guidelines to restrict children from riding these machines,” said the authors of the study.
