Physiological Demands of Flat Horse Racing Jockeys

Abstract

The physiological demands of jockeys during competition remain largely unknown, thereby creating challenges when attempting to prescribe sport-specific nutrition and training guidelines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological demands and energy requirements of jockeys during flat racing. Oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) and heart rate (HR) were assessed in 18 male trainee jockeys during a race simulation trial on a mechanical horse racing simulator for the typical time duration to cover a common flat race distance of 1,400 m. In addition, 8 male apprentice jockeys participated in a competitive race, over distances ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 m, during which HR and respiratory rate (RR) were assessed. All participants performed a maximal incremental cycle ergometer test. During the simulated race, peak V[Combining Dot Above]O2 was 42.74 ± 5.6 ml·kg·min (75 ± 11% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) and below the mean ventilatory threshold (81 ± 5% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) reported in the maximal incremental cycle test. Peak HR was 161 ± 16 b·min (86 ± 7% of HRpeak). Energy expenditure was estimated as 92.5 ± 18.8 kJ with an associated value of 9.4 metabolic equivalents. During the competitive race trial, peak HR reached 189 ± 5 b·min (103 ± 4% of HRpeak) and peak RR was 50 ± 7 breaths per minute. Results suggest that horse racing is a physically demanding sport, requiring jockeys to perform close to their physiological limit to be successful. These findings may provide a useful insight when developing sport-specific nutrition and training strategies to optimally equip and prepare jockeys physically for the physiological demands of horse racing.

Mental health and wellbeing of jockeys

“…Professional jockeys are a unique cohort of athletes who work exhaustive schedules and have an extremely demanding, competitive, dangerous and high-risk occupation (O 'Connor, Warrington, McGoldrick & Cullen, 2017;Landolt et al, 2017;Wilson, Drust, Morton & Close, 2014). Uncommon to other sports, jockeys have the unique demand placed on them to not only remain in peak physical condition (Cullen et al, 2015) but to maintain a strict and often unrealistic weight, on a daily basis over a protracted racing season, in order to maximise riding opportunities which directly impacts on potential earnings (Wilson et al, 2014). Poor performance, high-performance expectations, travelling long distances, power relationships, constant public and employer scrutiny, maintaining weight and physical fitness, risk of injury, time demands, long working hours, workload, high levels of concentrations and ancillary demands including track work were previously identified as key occupational and lifestyle stressors in professional jockey's (Landolt et al, 2017).…”

“…Horse racing has previously been reported to be a physically demanding sport (Cullen et al, 2015) with significant lifestyle challenges and expectations placed on jockeys (Dolan et al, 2011;Landolt et al, 2017;Wilson et al, 2014), which in turn may impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Despite the well documented physical health and performance implications associated with jockey's (Dolan et al, 2012;Warrington et al, 2009;Wilson et al, 2014) research pertaining to the mental health and wellbeing of jockeys is limited.…”

The External Workload of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys

“…Uncommon to athletes in other sports, jockeys have the unique demand placed on them to remain in peak physical condition and maintain a low weight, on a daily basis, with no off season [11]. Prescribing an optimal physical training load for an athlete depends on selecting an appropriate workload measure and quantifying the current workload status of the athlete [12,13].…”

“…Prescribing an optimal physical training load for an athlete depends on selecting an appropriate workload measure and quantifying the current workload status of the athlete [12,13]. Race riding provides significant stress on the athlete (internal workload) with mean heart rates (HR) during a race of 90-98% their maximal HR (achieved at exhaustion), and respiration rates of 50 ± 7 breaths per min for flat racing jockeys [11,14]. Mean heart rates are over 80% maximal for national hunt (jumps) racing jockeys with no significant period of recovery between races [15].…”

Injuries among Maryland jockeys during thoroughbred racing: 2015–2019

“…Thoroughbred horse racing is one of the most competitive and popular sports worldwide, but it is very physically demanding and not without substantial risk. 1 Jockeys are elite athletes who sit perched atop an animal weighing 10 times their mass while galloping at speeds up to 64 km/h (40 mph). 2 A single misstep or slight error may result in the jockey being thrown from the horse, potentially resulting in catastrophic injury or death.…”