Jockeys and Their Practices in South Africa

Labadarios, Demetre; Kotzé, Justin; Momberg, Douglas; Kotze, T.

doi:10.1159/000422352

Cited by 24 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, only one study has previously studied cognitive function on a competitive race day; however, the interpretation and applicability of the results of this study are not clear due to the minimal methodological details provided within the study (Labadarios et al, 1993), and as such, further research is required in a competitive environment. The simulated environment used within previous studies may have eliminated potential competition-related contributing factors to cognitive function including anxiety, arousal and distraction (Choma et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Cullen

Dolan

McGoldrick

et al. 2015

Journal of Sports Sciences

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Jockeys regularly engage in rapid weight-loss practices in preparation for competition. These practices are thought to impair cognitive function, although the evidence in support of this theory remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of making-weight on cognitive function in apprentice jockeys in a simulated and competitive environment. Apprentice jockeys (n = 12) reduced their body mass by 4% in 48 h in a simulated environment using weight-loss methods typically adopted in preparation for racing. Simple and choice reaction time, attention, learning and memory were assessed before and after the weight loss. A further 10 apprentice jockeys performed the cognitive function assessment in a competitive racing environment at both a self-reported "normal" and "light" body mass. Hydration status and body mass were assessed in all trials. In the simulated environment, body mass was reduced by 4.2 ± 0.3%, yet no change in cognitive function was observed. Cognitive function also remained unchanged in the competitive environment after a body mass loss of 5.7 ± 1.9%. Typical reductions in body mass in preparation for racing have no effect on cognitive function in apprentice jockeys in a simulated and competitive environment. Further research is required to investigate the physiological mechanisms preventing the adverse effects of making-weight on cognitive function in jockeys.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Cullen

Dolan

McGoldrick

et al. 2015

Journal of Sports Sciences

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“…Therefore, governing bodies should continue to explore a possible increase in the minimum riding weight. Although the entry rights of naturally lean jockeys must be considered, this study joins a mounting body of research which suggests that many jockeys may be endangering their physical and psychological health to make and win rides (King & Mezey, 1987;Labadarios et al, 1993;Leydon & Wall, 2002). Second, the need to support jockeys in their efforts to safely and effectively manage their weight must be acknowledged.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…One hundred and ten pounds is 80 lb below the average weight for an adult male and the upper limit is 50 lb below this average weight. One should note, however, that the average height of a male jockey is 1.58 m, while the average height on an adult male in the UK is 1.77 m. To reach riding weight, many jockeys endure a rigorous regime to reduce their body weight to an absolute minimum, known as wasting (Labadarios, Kotze, Momberg, & Kotze, 1993). This might involve a combination of starvation, deliberate dehydration, excessive sauna use, and even self-induced vomiting, known colloquially as flipping.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological effects of rapid weight loss and attitudes towards eating among professional jockeys

Caulfield

Karageorghis

2008

Journal of Sports Sciences

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We examined the psychological effects of rapid weight loss among a sample of 41 professional jockeys (mean age 30.9 years, s = 7.0). Participants completed the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) to establish the relationships between rapid weight loss, mood, and attitudes towards eating. These instruments were administered on three occasions: at the jockeys' minimal weight (achieved through rapid weight loss), their optimal riding weight (when they were not excessively restricting their weight and felt healthy), and their relaxed weight (when there were no forthcoming light rides or no rides at all). It was hypothesized that when riding at minimal weight, jockeys would record a more negative mood profile compared with scores recorded at optimal or relaxed weights. The same trend was expected for eating attitudes. These hypotheses were supported as jockeys reported significantly more negative mood profiles and eating attitudes at minimal weight. The EAT-26 scores indicated the presence of disordered attitudes towards eating at this weight. These results suggest that jockeys' endeavours to reach the minimum weight limit stipulated by governing bodies are likely to jeopardize their psychological well-being. Dialogue surrounding the appropriateness of current weight regulations is therefore encouraged.

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Weight-Making Strategies in Professional Jockeys: Implications for Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

et al. 2014

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Professional jockeys are unique amongst weight-making athletes given that they face the requirement to make weight daily. Furthermore, unlike other weight-limited sports, jockeys who have engaged in rapid weight loss cannot fully rehydrate prior to competition because post-race weight must not be more than 1 kg different to their pre-race weight. As such, jockeys have reported a variety of acute and chronic methods to make weight that include sporadic eating, caloric restriction, diuretics, laxatives, vomiting and fluid restriction as well as regular use of sweat suits and saunas. Typical daily energy intake is reported to be 6.5-8.0 MJ (carbohydrate 3 g kg(-1) body weight, fat 1 g kg(-1) body weight, protein 1 g kg(-1) body weight) and jockeys also exhibit micronutrient deficiencies that include vitamin D and calcium. Accordingly, the combination of low macronutrient, micronutrient and fluid intake results in poor bone health and abnormal mood profiles and can also impair simulated riding performance. Although the energy cost of real-world training and racing is unknown, energy expenditure during simulated race riding and total daily energy expenditure was 0.20 and 11.0 MJ, respectively. Such estimates of energy expenditure are considerably lower than that of other sports and suggest that conventional sports nutrition guidelines may not be applicable to the elite jockey. Furthermore, the use of daily diets that emphasise a high-protein and reduced carbohydrate intake (in the form of six small daily meals) in combination with structured exercise has also proven effective in reducing body mass and maintaining target racing weight. In this regard, available data suggest the need for those organisations responsible for jockey welfare to implement widespread educational programmes to assist in improving both the physical and mental well-being of professional jockeys. Given the high occupational risks associated with race riding (e.g. falls and bone fractures), future research should specifically target strategies to improve bone health through the use of structured weight-bearing exercise and correcting nutritional deficiencies.

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Jockeys and Their Practices in South Africa

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

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

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

Psychological effects of rapid weight loss and attitudes towards eating among professional jockeys

Weight-Making Strategies in Professional Jockeys: Implications for Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being

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