Elite male Flat jockeys display lower bone density and lower resting metabolic rate than their female counterparts: implications for athlete welfare.
Abstract: To test the hypothesis that daily weight-making is more problematic to health in male compared with female jockeys, we compared the bone density and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in weight-matched male and female Flat jockeys. RMR (kcal·kg(-1) lean mass) was lower in males compared with females as well as lower bone-density Z scores at the hip and lumbar spine. Data suggest the lifestyle of male jockeys compromise health more severely than females, possibly because of making weight more frequently.
Publication Date: 2015-09-14 PubMed ID: 26566241DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0354Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article examines the impact of the regular weight control required among jockeys, demonstrating that male Flat jockeys have lower bone density and lower resting metabolic rate (RMR) compared to their female counterparts. The research findings suggest that the lifestyle of male jockeys, specifically frequent weight-making, may have more severe health implications.
Objective and Methodology
- The aim of this research was to investigate whether the daily routine of weight management, specifically weight-making, is more detrimental to the health of male jockeys compared to female jockeys.
- The researchers carried out this investigation by comparing the bone density and resting metabolic rate (RMR), the amount of energy expended while at rest, in weight-matched male and female Flat jockeys.
Key Findings
- The study discovered that the RMR of male jockeys was lower in comparison to female jockeys.
- Additionally, male jockeys showed lower bone-density Z scores at the hip and lumbar spine. The Z score is a statistical measurement that describes a value’s relationship to the mean of a group of values; in this context, a lower score indicates lower bone density.
- This data suggests that male jockeys, because they’re subjected to frequent weight-making activities, may face serious health risks, including compromised bone health and slower metabolic rates.
Implications
- These findings indicate that there may be gender differences in the physical effects of weight-making in the sport, possibly because male jockeys have to make weight more frequently.
- This research offers valuable insights that could potentially change current athlete welfare practices, where the health implications of weight-making are considered and necessary steps are taken to safeguard jockeys’ health, particularly among males.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilson G, Hill J, Sale C, Morton JP, Close GL.
(2015).
Elite male Flat jockeys display lower bone density and lower resting metabolic rate than their female counterparts: implications for athlete welfare.
Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 40(12), 1318-1320.
https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0354 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
- b British Horseracing Authority, 75 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6LS, UK.
- c Biomedical Life and Health Sciences Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK.
- a Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
- a Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletes
- Basal Metabolism
- Body Composition
- Body Weight
- Bone Density
- Calorimetry, Indirect
- Female
- Health Status
- Horses
- Humans
- Life Style
- Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
- Male
- Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
- Occupational Diseases / etiology
- Occupational Diseases / physiopathology
- Occupational Health
- Pelvic Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Physical Fitness
- Risk Factors
- Sex Factors
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Lundy B, Torstveit MK, Stenqvist TB, Burke LM, Garthe I, Slater GJ, Ritz C, Melin AK. Screening for Low Energy Availability in Male Athletes: Attempted Validation of LEAM-Q. Nutrients 2022 Apr 29;14(9).
- Dunne A, Warrington G, McGoldrick A, Pugh J, Harrison M, Cullen S. Body Composition and Bone Health Status of Jockeys: Current Findings, Assessment Methods and Classification Criteria. Sports Med Open 2022 Feb 14;8(1):23.
- Stellingwerff T, Heikura IA, Meeusen R, Bermon S, Seiler S, Mountjoy ML, Burke LM. Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities. Sports Med 2021 Nov;51(11):2251-2280.
- Dunne A, Warrington G, McGoldrick A, Pugh J, Harrison M, O'Connor S, O'Loughlin G, Cullen S. Physical and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Bone Density in Jockeys: A Comprehensive Update of the Bone Density Status of Irish Jockeys. Int J Exerc Sci 2021;14(6):324-337.
- Eichstadt M, Luzier J, Cho D, Weisenmuller C. Eating Disorders in Male Athletes. Sports Health 2020 Jul Aug;12(4):327-333.
- Sale C, Elliott-Sale KJ. Nutrition and Athlete Bone Health. Sports Med 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):139-151.
- De Souza MJ, Koltun KJ, Williams NI. The Role of Energy Availability in Reproductive Function in the Female Athlete Triad and Extension of its Effects to Men: An Initial Working Model of a Similar Syndrome in Male Athletes. Sports Med 2019 Dec;49(Suppl 2):125-137.
- Papageorgiou M, Dolan E, Elliott-Sale KJ, Sale C. Reduced energy availability: implications for bone health in physically active populations. Eur J Nutr 2018 Apr;57(3):847-859.
- Jackson KA, Sanchez-Santos MT, MacKinnon AL, Turner A, Kuznik K, Ellis S, Box C, Hill J, Javaid MK, Cooper C, Arden NK, Newton JL. Bone density and body composition in newly licenced professional jockeys. Osteoporos Int 2017 Sep;28(9):2675-2682.
- Ayar M, Atar A, Şahin İN, Özbey F. Evaluatıon of eatıng attıtudes and obsessıon wıth healthy eatıng of apprentıce jockeys and wrestlers. BMC Nutr 2025 Apr 15;11(1):79.
- von Hippel PT, Rutherford CG, Keyes KM. Gender and Weight among Thoroughbred Jockeys: Underrepresented Women and Underweight Men. Socius 2017 Jan-Dec;3.
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