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Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine2018; 30(6); 578-584; doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000658

Concussion History, Reporting Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge in Jockeys.

Abstract: To examine concussion history, knowledge, and attitudes among Irish professional and amateur jockeys. Cross-sectional survey. Questionnaire was distributed through e-mails sent to all licensed jockeys, over social media and during professional and amateur race meetings. An average of 23.6% (12%-44%) Irish professional and amateur jockeys (n = 119) holding a license in 2017. Jockeys reported their previous concussion history, actions after their most recent concussion and responded to questions examining their knowledge and attitudes toward concussion. Amateur (32.4%) and professional (19.6%) jockeys, who were never medically diagnosed over their career, suspected that they had sustained a concussion. Jockeys displayed good knowledge of concussion signs and symptoms; yet, one in 2 jockeys would continue to ride out the same day if they suspected they had a concussion. They were less likely if they had a race that day. Reasons for continuing to ride include not considering a concussion as serious (85.7%); risk of losing the ride (84.0%); not wanting to let anyone down (77.8%); and considered it a sign of weakness (74.1%). Risky behavior was more common after a suspected concussion than a medically diagnosed concussion. Underreporting of concussions is proposed as a serious concern, and concussion understanding and attitudes can impact reporting. To address the issue of underreporting of concussions in Irish horseracing, there is a need to educate jockeys and the wider racing community on the importance of timely concussion assessments and access to appropriate management systems.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-14 PubMed ID: 30212399DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000658Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research covers the topic of concussion history, knowledge, and attitudes among Irish professional and amateur jockeys. The findings suggest a need for more education about concussions in the horse racing community to promote understanding and address the issue of underreporting.

Methodology

  • The study followed a cross-sectional survey methodology where questionnaires were disseminated to the subjects. These were distributed via email to all licensed jockeys, over social media, and during professional and amateur race meetings.
  • The study involved 119 Irish professional and amateur jockeys, representing an average of 23.6% of all individuals holding a license for racing in 2017.
  • The questionnaires solicited information on each jockey’s previous concussion history, how they responded after their most recent concussion, as well as assessing their knowledge and attitudes toward concussion.

Findings

  • A notable percentage of amateur (32.4%) and professional (19.6%) jockeys who had never been medically diagnosed in their career suspected that they had sustained a concussion.
  • Although the respondents displayed a good understanding of concussion signs and symptoms, half of them would continue to ride on the same day if they suspected a concussion. This behavior was reportedly less likely if they had a scheduled race that day.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Primarily, the findings show that the underreporting of concussions is a significant issue. Also, a jockey’s understanding and attitudes can considerably influence concussion reporting.
  • The main drivers for continuing to ride even after suspecting a concussion include underestimation of concussion seriousness (85.7%), fear of losing the ride (84.0%), not wanting to disappoint people (77.8%), and fearing it could be seen as a sign of weakness (74.1%).
  • Risky behavior, such as continuing to ride, was more prevalent after suspected concussions than medically diagnosed ones.
  • Subsequently, the study concludes with the recommendation for the need to improve education efforts about concussions in the Irish horse racing community. Such efforts aimed at jockeys and other stakeholders need to emphasize the importance of timely concussion assessments and utilize the proper management systems.

Cite This Article

APA
O'Connor S, Warrington G, Whelan G, McGoldrick A, Cullen S. (2018). Concussion History, Reporting Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge in Jockeys. Clin J Sport Med, 30(6), 578-584. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000658

Publication

Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine
ISSN: 1536-3724
NlmUniqueID: 9103300
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 6
Pages: 578-584

Researcher Affiliations

O'Connor, Siobhán
  • School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
Warrington, Giles
  • Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick.
Whelan, Grainne
  • Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, The Curragh, Kildare, Ireland; and.
McGoldrick, Adrian
  • Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, The Curragh, Kildare, Ireland; and.
Cullen, SarahJane
  • Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Athletes / psychology
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / psychology
  • Brain Concussion / diagnosis
  • Brain Concussion / epidemiology
  • Brain Concussion / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disclosure
  • Female
  • Head Protective Devices
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Risk Behaviors
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Ireland
  • Male
  • Occupational Injuries / diagnosis
  • Occupational Injuries / epidemiology
  • Occupational Injuries / psychology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / statistics & numerical data
  • Symptom Assessment
  • Young Adult

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Batten J, Smith MJ, Young J, Braim A, Jull R, Samuels C, Pearce AJ, White AJ. Transformational Leadership, Psychological Safety, and Concussion Reporting Intentions in Team-Sport Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2025 Mar 7;22(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph22030393pubmed: 40238425google scholar: lookup
  2. Hill-Wall T, McCausland K, Thomas E, Norman R, Bullen J, Cowen G. Awareness and understanding of concussion among Aboriginal Australians with high health literacy. Concussion 2024 Mar;9(1):CNC113.
    doi: 10.2217/cnc-2023-0012pubmed: 38939826google scholar: lookup
  3. Lucas D, Stokes K, McGuigan P, Hill J, Cazzola D. Consensus on a jockey's injury prevention framework for video analysis: a modified Delphi study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022;8(4):e001441.
    doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001441pubmed: 36530598google scholar: lookup
  4. Piantella S, McDonald SJ, Wright BJ. Gender and Workplace Stress Affect the Association Between Concussion History and Depression Symptoms in Professional Jockeys. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2023 May 22;38(4):537-547.
    doi: 10.1093/arclin/acac084pubmed: 36309850google scholar: lookup
  5. Longworth T, McDonald A, Cunningham C, Khan H, Fitzpatrick J. Do rugby league players under-report concussion symptoms? A cross-sectional study of elite teams based in Australia. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2021;7(1):e000860.
    doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000860pubmed: 33520253google scholar: lookup
  6. Beidler E, Wallace J, Alghwiri AA, O'Connor S. Collegiate Athletes' Concussion Awareness, Understanding, and -Reporting Behaviors in Different Countries With Varying Concussion Publicity. J Athl Train 2021 Jan 1;56(1):77-84.
    doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0575.19pubmed: 33259602google scholar: lookup
  7. O'Connor S, Moran K, Burke C, Whyte E. Sports-Related Concussion in Adolescent Gaelic Games Players. Sports Health 2019 Nov Dec;11(6):498-506.
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