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Injury2019; 50 Suppl 4; S56-S59; doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2019.03.015

Jockey injuries during the Siena “Palio”. A 72-year analysis of the oldest horse race in Italy.

Abstract: Horse racing is a hazardous sport. We analyzed the incidence and characteristics of jockey injuries in a typical horse race. Methods: We analyzed all injuries sustained by 224 jockeys in the last 72 years. Results: It was found that in 96.1% of the races there was at least one fall and in 28.6% of the races 50% or more of the jockeys fell. In 43.4% of the falls, the jockey was taken to the emergency room. Comparing the Palio with traditional races in other countries, a higher injury incidence rate was observed for every 100 falls (109.884 vs 27-59) and a lower concussion rate/100 falls (0.97 vs 1.8-7.4). Conclusions: The Palio is one of the most threatening races that continues today. Jockeys are at greater risk for a fall than any other race in the world.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-19 PubMed ID: 30910241DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2019.03.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research is a comprehensive study of jockey injuries during the Siena “Palio”, tracking incidents over a 72-year period to compare their severity and frequency with other horse races globally.

Methodology

  • The researchers collated and analyzed data on injuries sustained by 224 jockeys over the last 72 years during the historical Palio horse race in Siena, Italy.
  • The study focused on the frequency of falls and the subsequent injuries occurring during these races.

Findings

  • Results showed a significant number of falls – in approximately 96.1% of races, there was at least one fall, and in 28.6% of the races, half or more of the jockeys fell.
  • Of these falls, about 43.4% resulted in the jockeys being taken to the emergency room. This suggests a high rate of injury that directly relates to these particular racing conditions.
  • When comparing the Palio horse race to conventional races in other countries, the study found a significantly higher injury incidence rate for every 100 falls at the Palio, standing at 109.884, versus the 27-59 injuries recorded for other races.
  • However, interestingly, the rate of concussions per 100 falls is lower in the Palio (0.97) compared to other races (1.8-7.4). It might point to the fact that although falls are more common at the Palio, the resulting injuries could be less likely to involve concussions.

Conclusions

  • The Palio horse race in Siena, Italy, according to the study, is one of the most hazardous races currently being held.
  • The risk of falling for jockeys is higher in this race than in any other race around the world, marking it as a significant risk for participants.
  • The researchers’ findings raise questions about safety measures and regulations during these races to protect jockeys from serious harm.

Cite This Article

APA
Fortina M, Maniscalco P, Carulli C, Meccariello L, Colasanti GB, Carta S. (2019). Jockey injuries during the Siena “Palio”. A 72-year analysis of the oldest horse race in Italy. Injury, 50 Suppl 4, S56-S59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2019.03.015

Publication

Injury
ISSN: 1879-0267
NlmUniqueID: 0226040
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 50 Suppl 4
Pages: S56-S59
PII: S0020-1383(19)30112-3

Researcher Affiliations

Fortina, Mattia
  • Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital of Siena, V.le Bracci, n°14-16, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: mattiafortina@me.com.
Maniscalco, Pietro
  • Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy. Electronic address: p.maniscalco@ausl.pc.it.
Carulli, Christian
  • Orthopaedic Clinic, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: christian.carulli@unifi.it.
Meccariello, Luigi
  • Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Vito Fazzi Hospital, Lecce, Italy. Electronic address: drlordmec@gmail.com.
Colasanti, Giovanni Battista
  • Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital of Siena, V.le Bracci, n°14-16, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: colasanti.gb@outlook.com.
Carta, Serafino
  • Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital of Siena, V.le Bracci, n°14-16, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: cartaserafino@hotmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Acceleration / adverse effects
  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data
  • Animals
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Competitive Behavior / physiology
  • Crush Injuries / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Health Surveys
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / epidemiology
  • Sports

Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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