Context: During thoroughbred races, jockeys are placed in potentially injurious situations, often with inadequate safety equipment. Jockeys frequently sustain head injuries; therefore, it is important that they wear appropriately certified helmets. Objective: The goals of this study are (1) to perform impact attenuation testing according to ASTM F1163-15 on a sample of equestrian helmets commonly used by jockeys in the United States and (2) to quantify headform acceleration and residual crush after repeat impacts at the same location. Participants and Design: Seven helmet models underwent impact attenuation testing according to ASTM F1163-15. A second sample of each helmet model underwent repeat impacts at the crown location for a total of 4 impacts. Setting: Laboratory. Intervention: Each helmet was impacted against a flat and equestrian hazard anvil. Main Outcome Measures: Headform acceleration was recorded during all impact and computed tomography scans were performed preimpact and after impacts 1 and 4 on the crown to quantify liner thickness. Results: Four helmets had 1 impact that exceeded the limit of 300g. During the repeated crown impacts, acceleration remained below 300g for the first and second impacts for all helmets, while only one helmet remained below 300g for all impacts. Foam liner thickness was reduced between 5% and 39% after the first crown impact and between 33% and 70% after the fourth crown impact. Conclusions: All riders should wear a certified helmet and replace it after sustaining a head impact. Following an impact, expanded polystyrene liners compress, and their ability to attenuate head acceleration during subsequent impacts to the same location is reduced. Replacing an impacted helmet may reduce a rider’s head injury risk.

ObjectiveTo describe characteristics and modifiable factors in jockeys who have sustained a concussion for the purpose of identifying areas for risk reduction and improved safety.SettingDirect from field; descriptive epidemiology study.Patients or other participantsData were obtained from the Jockey Injury Database from years 2012 to 2016.InterventionsData were collected from Horse Racetracks in the United States.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics were used to identify frequency and percentages based on gender, helmet type, track, jockey experience, location of track, size of field, horse gender, track condition & distance.ResultsThere were 36 reported concussions during this period. 29 males and 7 females sustained a concussion. Helmet type was distributed evenly with more concussions occurring with LAS helmets. The majority occurred on dirt (27/66%) versus synthetic surfaces (9/8%). Injury rates were higher (21/58%) in less experienced jockeys (<6 years’ experiences) versus more experienced jockeys (13/36%) (>11 years’ experience). More concussions were identified in the last turn/stretch (21/58%) than the beginning of the race (12/33%). More injuries (23/64%) were identified in fields greater than 8 horses than fields of less than 7 horses (12/33%). More concussions occurred in fast/firm conditions (28/78%) than sloppy/muddy/good (4/11%). More concussions were present in races that were 5,6, &7 furlongs (18/50%) versus more than 1 mile in length (12/33%).ConclusionsThe results of this research establish injury characteristics that can be used to better understand equipment and conditions that contribute to increased risk of concussion.Competing interestsNone.