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Home / Equine Research Bank / JAMA / Jockey injuries in the United States.
JAMA2000; 283(10); 1326-1328; doi: 10.1001/jama.283.10.1326

Jockey injuries in the United States.

Abstract: In the sport of horse racing, the position of the jockey and speed of the horse predispose the jockey to risk of injury. Objective: To estimate rates of medically treated injuries among professional jockeys and identify patterns of injury events. Methods: Cross-sectional survey from data compiled by an insurance broker. Information on the cause of injury, location on the track, and body part injured was evaluated. Methods: Official races at US professional racing facilities (n = 114) from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1996. Methods: A licensed jockey population of approximately 2700 persons. Methods: Annual injury incidence rates per 1000 jockey-years, as well as injury type, cause, and location on the track. Results: A total of 6545 injury events occurred during official races between 1993 and 1996 (606 per 1000 jockey-years). Nearly 1 in 5 injuries (18.8%) was to the jockey's head or neck. Other frequent sites included the leg (15.5%), foot/ankle (10.7%), back (10.7%), arm/hand (11.0%), and shoulder (9.6%). The most frequent location where injuries occurred was entering, within, or leaving the starting gate (35.1%), including 29.5% of head injuries, 39.8% of arm/hand injuries, and 52.0% of injuries to the leg/foot. Most head injuries resulted from being thrown from the horse (41.8%) or struck by the horse's head (23.2%). Being thrown from the horse was the cause of 55.1% of back and 49.6% of chest injuries. Conclusions: Our data suggest that jockeys have a high injury rate. Efforts are needed to reduce the number of potential injury events on the track and to improve protective equipment so events do not lead to injury.
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Publication Date: 2000-03-14 PubMed ID: 10714733DOI: 10.1001/jama.283.10.1326Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

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.

This research paper investigates the occurrence and types of medically treated injuries endured by professional jockeys in the United States, based on data gathered from 1993 to 1996. It concludes that the jockeys face a high injury rate and suggests the necessity to improve safety measures on the track and protective equipment.

Research Methodology

  • The study is based on a cross-sectional survey compiled from data provided by an insurance broker, covering official races at 114 professional racing facilities in the US.
  • The population sample includes approximately 2700 licensed jockeys.
  • The research focused on assessing the incidence of injuries per 1000 jockey-years, types of injuries, their causes, and the place where they occurred on the track.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that a total of 6545 injury events occurred during official races between the years of 1993 and 1996, with an injury rate of 606 per 1000 jockey-years.
  • About 18.8% of these injuries were to the jockey’s head or neck, making it the most common injury location. Other frequently injured areas include the leg (15.5%), foot and ankle (10.7%), back (10.7%), arm and hand (11.0%), and shoulder (9.6%).
  • The most common place for injury was the starting gate area, accounting for 35.1% of all injuries, amongst which includes 29.5% of head injuries, 39.8% of arm/hand injuries, and 52.0% of injuries to the leg/foot.
  • The most common causes of head injuries were being thrown from the horse (41.8%) or being struck by the horse’s head (23.2%). Owing to similar reasons, 55.1% of back and 49.6% of chest injuries were caused.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study concludes that the injury rates among jockeys are high, indicating the inherent risks associated with the profession.
  • Given such high rates of injury, the authors advocate for enhanced efforts towards increasing safety at the racetracks and improving the quality of protective equipment to reduce the potential event of injury.

Cite This Article

APA
Waller AE, Daniels JL, Weaver NL, Robinson P. (2000). Jockey injuries in the United States. JAMA, 283(10), 1326-1328. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.283.10.1326

Publication

JAMA
ISSN: 0098-7484
NlmUniqueID: 7501160
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 283
Issue: 10
Pages: 1326-1328

Researcher Affiliations

Waller, A E
  • Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7594, USA. anna_waller@med.unc.edu
Daniels, J L
    Weaver, N L
      Robinson, P

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
        • Cross-Sectional Studies
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • United States / epidemiology

        Grant Funding

        • R49/CCR402444 / PHS HHS

        Citations

        This article has been cited 18 times.
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