Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1089662
t m c ยป p u l s e | m a r c h 2 0 1 9 22 Eight seconds When he's not riding, Thomas goes to the Human Performance Lab to work out every weekday for hours at a time. He starts with physical therapy to loosen his muscles, a routine that often includes an ultrasound to warm the muscles and a therapy called Graston Technique, which is essentially a deep tissue massage to treat scar tissue. He then focuses on his elbow joint, some lower level strength- ening and muscle activation exercises. When Thomas is finally warmed up, he starts a full-body workout, which often includes incline dumbbell presses, hip thrusters and reverse fly exercises using a resistance band. Many of the unique exercises his trainers created mimic the position of riding a horse, or even being bucked. During one such routine, Thomas will hold a free weight against a towel pressed against his head, then move back and forth exercising the muscles in his neck and shoulders. "Bareback riding is eight seconds of very high-intensity work, so we have been structuring his program to get progressively more intense. We'll have hard days and easier days and days that really focus on grip strength and days that focus on whole body strength, including a lot of neck and back work," Duncan said. "Anthony also Left and below: Schmidt guides Thomas through an exercise routine designed to work the same muscles used for bareback bronc riding. Thomas has competed in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the past three years, but he didn't make the list this year because his injuries kept him from competing enough to qualify. Facing page: Thomas preps his saddle and rope before starting work on his horse.