​The impact on health in jockeys due to demanding weight requirements in horse racing and nutritional strategies to help minimise the damage

Jockeys have a demanding and challenging role in which many do suffer the negative consequences of their choices and actions. While many practices employed to achieve a jockeys weight goals are common, they may not be necessary...

Post by Lee-Anne Wann
 
Key Points;

• Jockeys are required to achieve very specific body weights to be able to obtain rides on race days.
• Many jockeys are not naturally the required weight and struggle to make weight in a healthy and sustainable manner.
• It is widely accepted for jockeys to severely restrict calories and employ rapid weight loss practices to achieve required race day weight.
• Such practices can cause significant damage to the health and well-being of jockeys.
• Implementing basic, fundamental nutritional strategies could minimise the damage caused by these weight-making practices.

In brief:
Jockeys commonly experience adverse health effects caused by the demanding and unique weight restrictions of their sport. [1] This article identifies and discusses the negative impact on a jockeys health and well-being and proposes nutritional strategies to help combat these.
It has long been a challenge for many jockeys to achieve their required body weight for race day.  The opportunity and selection criteria for a jockey to ride in specific races is often determined by the weight they can achieve on race day.  This required weight is very often much lower than the jockeys ‘natural’ or ‘usual’ weight. [2]  Severe calorie restriction and rapid weight loss strategies such as dehydration, wasting, sauna, and exercising in sweat suits and plastic wrap are common occurrences and standard practice for many jockeys.1   These practices to achieve rapid weight loss can and do have significant detrimental effects on both the physiological and physical health of these athletes.  Jockeys can experience reduced bone mass, [3]hypo hydration, increased heart rate, impaired cognitive performance 6 and reported depression. [4]  Some of these symptoms could be lessened and possibly alleviated by implementing basic, fundamental nutrition and hydration strategies which assist with achieving desired weight goals while creating less damage to the body than current weight-making practices.
 
In Depth:
Jockeys are a unique set of athletes in that they compete in a weight category sport that requires designated weights be met both before and after a competitive event. 3 The need to achieve weight week in and week out is demanding and combined with the reduced ability to recover and replenish optimally causes many jockeys to experience adverse health effects.  These adverse health effects stem primarily from the common weight-making practices of severe calorie restriction and the use of rapid weight loss strategies such as dehydration, wasting, sauna, and exercising in sweat suits and plastic wrap. 
Symptoms include reduced bone density with some studies showing 53% of flat jockeys experienced whole-body osteopenia and 41% showed osteopenia of the hip. 3  Hypo hydration (especially on race day) and elevated heart rate are other common symptoms of jockeys and although it is expected an athlete has an elevated heart rate when in competition, the duration at which it can remain elevated in a jockey on race day is concerning.  Impaired cognitive performance and depression are also common symptoms of jockeys and have been connected with nutrient deficiencies and energy deficits in this group.


Common health conditions experienced by jockeys due to calorie restriction and weight loss strategies and possible dietary interventions

1. Reduced bone density

It is common for jockeys to have reduced bone density. This occurrence has been attributed to severe calorie restriction resulting in a diet deficient in many vital nutrients and chronic energy deficits.[5]  This is especially important given the high occupational risks associated with racing (e.g. injuries from falls and bone fractures).  Improving nutritional deficiencies could help alleviate some of this risk where a fall may occur and not result in fractures and the jockey is otherwise unharmed.[6]  It has been noted many jockeys consume less than the required amount of calcium per day which potentially exacerbates this condition. [7]  Inclusion of foods high in calcium such as green leafy vegetables and sardines could be a good addition to a jockey’s diet to help with this factor.  An increase in quality protein such as sardines would also help lean mass development if they were to include weight-bearing exercise as part of their routine which has also been noted as a practical and effective option to improve bone strength.

2. Hypo hydration and Increased heart rate
Although It has been noted that it is achievable to make race day weight without utilising dehydration as a method, this is still a common practice in the racing industry and one that carries with it significant health risks for the jockey’s.  It has been shown that amending an athlete’s macronutrient ratio and meal timings can reduce weight in a healthy and sustainable manner without the need for dehydration. [8]  Adjusting meals from 1-2 per day to 5-6 small meals and favouring protein over carbohydrates for calories is suggested to help with weight management without the need to dehydrate on race day to make weight. This could include nutrient dense protein options such as salmon or liver or even snacking on chicken drumsticks or a boiled egg over high carbohydrate options.

Racing is high intensity work and can result in large spikes in the heart rate of the jockey.  If heart rate is elevated for long periods a jockeys cognitive performance and ability to make decisions can be impaired. [9]  Being in a dehydrated state can cause the heart to work harder and elevate heart rate.  Including low calorie, water dense foods can reduce the level of dehydration experienced on race day without affecting weight levels.  These could be items as simple as cucumber, water melon or celery used as snacks or made available in the jockey’s room on race day.  Jockeys are required to weigh in before and after races and must maintain a designated weight for each race on a specific day, sometimes up to 8-10 races in one day therefore the opportunity to replenish and hydrate is limited unlike other sports where an athlete may weigh in and then replenish.2 Having items on hand that are low-calorie but water-dense could be helpful.

3. Impaired cognitive performance
It has been observed in jockeys on race day their ability to perform simple tasks is diminished when compared to their performance on non-race days. 5  This has been attributed to the restriction of fluids leading up to race day and on race day in an attempt to make weight.  Using similar options to aid in hydration without increasing weight as noted above are suggested in addition to a focus on hydration on non-race days to alleviate the stress of constant dehydration.

​4. Depression and anxiety
There is a high incidence of depression reported in jockeys.  Studies suggest a strong link between good nutrition and psychological health indicating that individuals with a healthy diet are less likely to have depression or develop depression [10]. Including nutrient dense foods such as omega rich fish is linked to a reduced risk of depression while an increase in green vegetables, fruits and beans provide much needed folate helpful in reducing the incidence and reoccurrence of depression (9).


Conclusion
Jockeys have a demanding and challenging role in which many do suffer the negative consequences of their choices and actions. While many practices employed to achieve a jockeys weight goals are common, they may not be necessary. The consideration of adjusting food quality, ratios and timings could help this group of athletes minimise potential health risks and aid in sustainable, achievable weight management. 


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About the author

Lee-Anne Wann is a health & fitness consultant and a recent HPN graduate. 
You can find out more about her here. 

​References
[1] Warrington G, Dolan E, McGoldrick A, McEvoy J, MacManus C, Lyons D, et al. Chronic weight control impacts on physiological function and bone health in elite jockeys. Journal Of Sports Sciences [serial on the Internet]. (2009, Apr), [cited March 3, 2018]; 27(6): 543-550. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text.
[2] Dolam E, O'Connor H, MCGoldrick A, O'Loughlin G, Lyons D, Warrington G. Nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys. Journal Of Sports Sciences [serial on the Internet]. (2011, May), [cited March 4, 2018]; 29(8): 791-799. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text.
[3] Dolan E, Crabtree N, McGoldrick A, Ashley D, McCaffrey N, Warrington G, et al. Weight regulation and bone mass: a comparison between professional jockeys, elite amateur boxers, and age, gender and BMI matched controls. Journal Of Bone & Mineral Metabolism [serial on the Internet]. (2012, Mar), [cited March 4, 2018]; 30(2): 164-170. Available from: CINAHL Complete.
[4] Cullen S, Dolan E, McGoldrick A, Brien K, Carson B, Warrington G. The impact of making-weight on cognitive performance in apprentice jockeys. Journal Of Sports Sciences [serial on the Internet]. (2015), [cited March 4, 2018]; 33(15): 1589-1595. Available from: MEDLINE Complete.
[5] Dolan E, McGoldrick A, Davenport C, Kelleher G, Byrne B, Warrington G, et al. An altered hormonal profile and elevated rate of bone loss are associated with low bone mass in professional horse-racing jockeys. Journal Of Bone And Mineral Metabolism [serial on the Internet]. (2012, Sep), [cited March 3, 2018]; 30(5): 534-542. Available from: MEDLINE Complete.
[6] Warrington G, Dolan E, McGoldrick A, McEvoy J, MacManus C, Lyons D, et al. Chronic weight control impacts on physiological function and bone health in elite jockeys. Journal Of Sports Sciences [serial on the Internet]. (2009, Apr), [cited March 3, 2018]; 27(6): 543-550. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text.
[7] Wilson G, Drust B, Morton J, Close G. Weight-Making Strategies in Professional Jockeys: Implications for Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being. Sports Medicine [serial on the Internet]. (2014, June), [cited March 3, 2018]; 44(6): 785-796. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text.
[8] Wilson G, Chester N, Eubank M, Crighton B, Drust B, Close G, et al. An Alternative Dietary Strategy to Make Weight While Improving Mood, Decreasing Body Fat, and Not Dehydrating: A Case Study of a Professional Jockey. International Journal Of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism [serial on the Internet]. (2012, June), [cited March 3, 2018]; 22(3): 225-231. Available from: Food Science Source.
[9] O’Reilly J, Cheng H, Poon E. New insights in professional horse racing; “in-race” heart rate data, elevated fracture risk, hydration, nutritional and lifestyle analysis of elite professional jockeys. Journal Of Sports Sciences [serial on the Internet]. (2017, Mar), [cited March 3, 2018]; 35(5): 441-448. Available from: CINAHL Complete.
[10] Cabout M, Brouwer I, Visser M. The Moo DFOOD project: Prevention of depression through nutritional strategies. Nutrition Bulletin [serial on the Internet]. (2017, Mar), [cited March 3, 2018]; 42(1): 94-103. Available from: CINAHL Complete.