Nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys

Abstract

In this study, we describe diet and lifestyle practices of professional jockeys. Participants completed a 59-item nutrition, lifestyle, and health questionnaire (n = 21) and a 7-day estimated food diary (n = 18). Acute weight loss strategies included the use of saunas (86%), exercising to induce sweating (81%), and restricted energy intake (71%). Of the smokers (38%), 56% used smoking to control weight. Most (86%) jockeys reported attaining a 2-kg weight loss for racing (if required) 24-48 h before or on the designated race-day. Mean daily energy intake (1803 ± 564 kcal) was low and appeared to provide an insufficient availability of energy for sustainment of usual daily and metabolic processes. Carbohydrate intake (3.7 ± 1.3 g · kg⁻¹) was below recommendations for athletes. A substantial proportion of jockeys failed to meet the estimated average requirement and lower threshold intake for a number of micronutrients. Jockeys consumed well below (0-2) the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables set by the World Health Organization. Pressures of the jockey lifestyle and rigid weight limits appear to encourage unhealthy weight management practices in this group and may risk long term-health.

Physiological and health characteristics of ex-jockeys

“…For this reason, inferences were drawn from BMI data on current professional jockeys. 1 The lower than normal BMI in current professional jockeys suggests a greater relative gain in BMI to 26.9 ± 3.8 kg m −2 (6.2 kg m −2 ) in the retired jockeys reported in the present study compared to that seen in the general population (2.3-3.9 kg m −2 ). 20 Even in the absence of obesity, large fluctuations in body weight at some point earlier in life have been suggested to represent an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.…”

“…1 Unequivocal evidence exists suggesting the adverse physiological, 2-7 psychological 8 and performance 9,10 implications of making-weight for racing. Despite this, the longterm health impacts and risk factors associated with a jockey's lifestyle remain unknown.…”

A Review of Factors Influencing Athletes’ Food Choices

“…The culture within sport may influence food choices where traditions and beliefs are strong and the value of nutrition may not be recognized [14]. Indeed, long-held customs may override health and sport recommendations in favour of performance as seen in making weight sports, such as wrestling and horse racing [58,163]. Overall, cultural influences are important determinants of food choice and may be an important factor to athletes.…”

The impact of making-weight on cognitive performance in apprentice jockeys

“…A strong reliance on rapid weight loss for competition is evident amongst jockeys, primarily achieved through dehydration by sweating in saunas or exercising in sweat suits, accompanied by severely restricted fluid and food intake (Dolan et al, 2011;Labadarios et al, 1993;Leydon & Wall, 2002;Moore, Timperio, Crawford, Burns, & Cameron-Smith, 2002). These weight-making practices appear to result in jockeys living and competing in a dehydrated and energy deficient state (Dolan et al, 2011;Warrington et al, 2009), which have been associated with many adverse implications for health (Dolan, Crabtree, et al, 2012;Greene, Naughton, Jander, & Cullen, 2013;Waldron-Lynch et al, 2010;Warrington et al, 2009), psychological status (Caulfield & Karageorghis, 2008) and physical performance (Dolan, Cullen, McGoldrick, & Warrington, 2013;Wilson, Hawken, et al, 2014) in jockeys.…”

“…Research suggests the methods jockeys employ to achieve and maintain the necessary low body mass are based on tradition rather than on sound scientific principles and have remained unchanged in the last 20 years despite advances in sport science support and medical knowledge (Dolan et al, 2011;Labadarios, Kotze, Momberg, & Kotze, 1993). A strong reliance on rapid weight loss for competition is evident amongst jockeys, primarily achieved through dehydration by sweating in saunas or exercising in sweat suits, accompanied by severely restricted fluid and food intake (Dolan et al, 2011;Labadarios et al, 1993;Leydon & Wall, 2002;Moore, Timperio, Crawford, Burns, & Cameron-Smith, 2002).…”