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

Abstract

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.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Body Image and Eating Behaviours of Male Apprentice Jockeys: Descriptive Research

“…Boy uzunluğu ve vücut ağırlığı dengelendiğinde yarışı bitirme süresinin iyileştiği düşünülmektedir. 15 Jokeylerin genellikle ~20 kg/m 2 veya daha düşük beden kitle indeksi (BKİ) puanına sahip oldukları bilinmektedir. 16 Binicilerin bu kadar düşük vücut ağırlığına ulaşmada zorluklarla karşılaşabilecekleri yapılan çalışmalarda bildirilmiştir.…”

Sex integration in equestrian sport: Challenging male dominance of horseracing in Mexico

“…In codified forms of flat and steeplechase racing, for example, jockeys have to ‘weigh out’ to ensure that the horse they are riding carries the weight it has been allocated (based on form etc.). This means that many jockeys resort to dangerous practices to keep their weight low for race days, including the use of saunas to sweat out excess water and limiting food intake (Ryan and Brodine, 2021). Some of these extreme measures lead to physical and psychological damage for jockeys (McGuane et al, 2019).…”

The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders

“…When manipulating body composition, weight-making practices employed in racing are well documented [73][74][75], but are a lesser concern in most other disciplines in the absence of underlying psychological factors. Body composition, combined with rider fitness and postural strength, should consider improving the power-to-weight ratio and minimizing negative impacts on horses' welfare whilst maintaining athlete health and competitive performance.…”