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British journal of sports medicine2006; 40(7); 614-618; doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.028449

An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991-2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992-2001.

Abstract: It has been previously shown that professional jockeys suffer high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the pursuit of their occupation. Little is known, however, about differences in injury rates between countries. Objective: To determine the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in flat and jump jockeys in France and to compare the injury rates with those in Great Britain and Ireland Method: Prospectively collected injury data on professional jockeys were used as the basis of the analysis. Results: Limb fractures occur four times more often in both flat and jump racing in France than in Great Britain. Similarly dislocations are diagnosed 20 times more often in flat and three times more often in jump racing. This difference is surprising given that French jockeys have fewer falls per ride than their British counterparts in flat racing, although they do have more falls than the British in jump racing. Similarly concussion rates seem to be higher in French jockeys, although there may be a difference in the diagnostic methods used in the different countries. By contrast, soft tissue injuries account for a far smaller percentage of injuries than in Great Britain. Conclusions: There are striking differences in injury rates between countries which may be explained in part by a difference in track conditions-for example, harder tracks in France-or different styles of racing--for example, larger fields of horses per race in France.
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Publication Date: 2006-05-10 PubMed ID: 16687479PubMed Central: PMC2564309DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.028449Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study analyzes injury data for professional horse racers in France from 1991-2001 and compares it to that of professional horse racers in Great Britain during the same period. The findings indicate varying injury rates and types across the two countries, possibly due to differing track conditions and racing styles.

Objective and Methodology

  • The primary objective of the study was to determine the rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries among flat and jump jockeys in France, and compare these with the injury rates in Great Britain and Ireland.
  • To accomplish this, the researchers utilized prospectively collected injury data regarding professional jockeys for their analysis.

Findings

  • Injuries such as limb fractures were found to occur four times more often in both flat and jump racing in France, as compared to Great Britain.
  • Further, dislocations were measured and found to be 20 times more common in flat racing in France and three times more in French jump racing.
  • Interestingly, these differences were observed despite French jockeys recording fewer falls per ride in flat racing, compared to their British counterparts. However, they did have more falls in jump racing.
  • Moreover, concussion rates appeared to be higher for French jockeys, but the authors note the possibility of discrepancies in diagnostic methods across the two regions.
  • On the other hand, the study found that soft tissue injuries made up a smaller percentage of injuries in France than in Great Britain.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that there are significant differences in injury rates between France and Great Britain.
  • The higher incidence of certain types of injuries in France may be attributable, at least in part, to differences in track conditions such as harder tracks, or varying racing styles, such as larger fields of horses per race.
  • While some factors contributing to these differences have been considered, further investigation might be required to substantiate these conclusions and explore other potential factors.

Cite This Article

APA
McCrory P, Turner M, LeMasson B, Bodere C, Allemandou A. (2006). An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991-2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992-2001. Br J Sports Med, 40(7), 614-618. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.028449

Publication

British journal of sports medicine
ISSN: 1473-0480
NlmUniqueID: 0432520
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 7
Pages: 614-618

Researcher Affiliations

McCrory, P
  • Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. paulmccr@bigpond.net.au
Turner, M
    LeMasson, B
      Bodere, C
        Allemandou, A

          MeSH Terms

          • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
          • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data
          • Animals
          • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
          • Athletic Injuries / etiology
          • Female
          • France / epidemiology
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Incidence
          • Ireland / epidemiology
          • Male
          • Prospective Studies
          • United Kingdom / epidemiology

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          Competing interests: none declared

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 18 times.
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