Jockey Career Length and Risk Factors for Loss from Thoroughbred Race Riding

Legg, Kylie A.; Cochrane, Darryl J.; Gee, Erica K.; Rogers, Chris W.

doi:10.3390/su12187443

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…While the determinants of this reportedly high early dropout rate are not fully understood, the authors suggest that the ability to tolerate continuous weight-making practices is likely a deterrent to would-be professionals. 41 If that hypothesis were correct, it would be reasonable to associate the longevity of professional riders with their apparent tolerance of the lifestyle, a tolerance that may be as much physiological as psychological. It could be argued that these elite athletes are less prone to the presumed harms of rapid weight loss through a combination of physical habituation and natural capacity for extreme variance in energy balance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight-Making Practices Among Jockeys: An Update and Review of the Emergent Scientific Literature

Ryan¹,

Brodine²

2021

OAJSM

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Numerous publications have described the behaviors employed by professional jockeys on a daily basis to achieve and maintain a minimum racing weight. This narrative review provides an update of recent publications that report on the impact of such practices. Although rapid weight-loss techniques such as calorie restriction and dehydration are commonly thought to be deleterious to jockeys, little evidence exists of enduring health consequences. There is evidence to suggest that jockey training behaviors and dietary choices are not aligned with optimum preparation for the physiological demands of the sport. Further research is necessary to better measure the health impact of jockey weightmaking behaviors; such data might guide reforms of athlete behavior and regulatory practices within the global sport of horse racing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight-Making Practices Among Jockeys: An Update and Review of the Emergent Scientific Literature

Ryan¹,

Brodine²

2021

OAJSM

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Physical Fitness of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys

Legg,

Cochrane,

Gee

et al. 2023

J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE

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Purpose Thoroughbred racing jockeys compete at maximum physiological capacity in a sport with a high risk of falls and injury. A greater understanding of the physical capacities determining jockey performance may lead to minimum physical performance parameters and corrective interventions to improve jockey fitness and performance and reduce jockey and horse injury. The aim of this study was to develop appropriate physical testing procedures for jockeys and a physical fitness profile for different licence levels. Methods Fifty-eight jockeys (n = 24 females, n = 34 males), representing all apprentice jockeys licenced in New Zealand in 2021 (100%, n = 8 probationers and n = 39 apprentices) and eleven professional jockeys (14%) were assessed to determine baseline physiological and fitness data. Descriptive statistics and boxplots were used to compare aerobic fitness, abdominal (core), upper and lower body strength, muscular power, reaction time, flexibility and a novel ‘saddle’ test targeting lower body strength, balance, and endurance between licencing levels. Effect Size (ES) was used to determine magnitude of differences between groups. Results More experienced jockeys had greater relative lower body strength (ES = 0.2–0.7) and better balance (ES = 0.5–0.9) compared to the less experienced groups. Jockeys who were in the top 20 of the premiership table (jockey rankings) had faster reaction times (ES = 0.7) and greater core extensor strength (ES = 0.7) than other cohorts. Most tests showed little differentiation between jockey licence levels, however the ‘saddle test’ showed greater variability in the less experienced race riders. This test may be an effective measure of jockey baseline performance. Conclusions These data could be used to inform minimum jockey licencing requirements and future physical fitness training programmes to increase jockey physiological fitness, thereby minimising risk of falls or injury due to physiological deficits and performance.

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