Physiological Demands and Muscle Activity of Jockeys in Trial and Race Riding

Abstract

Physiological parameters and muscle activity of jockeys may affect their fall and injury risk, performance, and career longevity, as well as the performance and welfare of the horses they ride. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the physiological demands, body displacement, and electromyographic (EMG) activity of twelve jockeys riding 52 trials and 16 professional races. The jockeys were instrumented with heart rate (HR) monitors, accelerometers, and integrated EMG clothing (recording eight muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, erector spinae/lower back, abdominal external obliques, abdominal, trapezial and pectoral) which recorded continuously whilst riding. During race day, jockeys rode an average of 5 ± 4 trials and 4 ± 2 races over 2–2.5 h. The trials represented lower intensity cardiovascular demand (~81% HRmax) and Training Impulse (TRIMP) scores (4.4 ± 1.8) than races at maximal intensity effort (~94% HRmax, 7.2 ± 1.8 TRIMP, p < 0.05). Jockey head displacement was similar in trials (5.4 ± 2.1 cm) and races (5.6 ± 2.2 cm, p > 0.05), with more vertical (6.7 ± 2.7 cm) and less medio/lateral (2.3 ± 0.7 cm) and fore/aft (3.7 ± 1.6 cm) displacement for jockeys riding in trials than races (5.5 ± 2.3, 2.8 ± 1.0, 5.6 ± 2.5 cm, p < 0.05). Jockeys in races adopted a lower crouched posture, with their centre of mass (COM) shifted anteriorly, using greater hamstring activation and less upper arm muscle activation than in trials. The differences in riding posture and physiological demands on jockeys riding in a race rather than a trial, highlight the requirement for an off-horse race-specific training programme to improve jockey fitness and performance. Greater jockey stability and coordination will have mutual benefits for both horse welfare and performance.

Cardiac structure and function of elite Australian jockeys differs to the general population: An observational cross-sectional study.

“…The TRIMP score for jockeys during 16 professional races was quanti ed at 292 ± 106 arbitrary units (au) (9). This is noteworthy considering the TRIMP experienced by a professional soccer player during a 1.5-hour match approximates ~ 190 au, whereas that of a world-class marathon runner participating in a 2-hour race reaches approximately 275 au (9). These ndings highlight the athletic requirements of both endurance and strength in this demanding sport.…”

“…These ndings con rm the rigorous physical nature of the sport and demonstrates cardiovascular demands similar to that of other elite athletes (6-8). Jockeys also adopt a distinctive crouched posture during races whereby quasi-isometric muscle activation occurs, indicating that jockeys require a unique blend of endurance and strength (9).…”

“…TRIMP scores are used to quantify the load or intensity of an athlete's training over time and can be used as a comparative measure of exercise load (9). The TRIMP score for jockeys during 16 professional races was quanti ed at 292 ± 106 arbitrary units (au) (9). This is noteworthy considering the TRIMP experienced by a professional soccer player during a 1.5-hour match approximates ~ 190 au, whereas that of a world-class marathon runner participating in a 2-hour race reaches approximately 275 au (9).…”

The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders

“…Oxygen uptake ( VO 2 ) and peak oxygen uptake ( VO 2peak ) during equestrian activity are lower than comparable individual or team sports of similar duration, but intensities are sufficient to induce training adaptations that may prove beneficial over time (>60% VO 2peak [11,23,24]). Rider position on the horse affects energy expenditure, likely because of increased VO 2 through increased muscle mass recruitment; energy expenditure also changes in proportion to gait and jumping requirements [11,[22][23][24][25]. Evidentially, when standard equine gaits are combined with complex rider movements, recruiting a larger muscle mass, such as in the cross-country phase of eventing [22] or in Polo [23,26,27], high average (150-185 bpm) and near maximal heart rate (HR) values (~200 bpm) are observed.…”

“…This site-specific tonicity likely allows for greater postural control during riding but does not necessarily require greater muscular strength than other athletes or general popu-lation controls. Importantly, this is not a rationale to deprioritise strength training in the equestrian schedule; simply, the way strength is expressed as a performance determinant in equestrian disciplines is sport-specific, with benefits to both horse and rider already documented [25,40,41].…”