Nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys.

Dolan, E
·
O'Connor, H
·
McGoldrick, A
·
O'Loughlin, G
·
Lyons, D
·
Warrington, G

Abstract: In this study, we describe diet and lifestyle practices of professional jockeys. Participants completed a 59-item nutrition, lifestyle, and health questionnaire (n = 21) and a 7-day estimated food diary (n = 18). Acute weight loss strategies included the use of saunas (86%), exercising to induce sweating (81%), and restricted energy intake (71%). Of the smokers (38%), 56% used smoking to control weight. Most (86%) jockeys reported attaining a 2-kg weight loss for racing (if required) 24-48 h before or on the designated race-day. Mean daily energy intake (1803 ± 564 kcal) was low and appeared to provide an insufficient availability of energy for sustainment of usual daily and metabolic processes. Carbohydrate intake (3.7 ± 1.3 g · kg⁻¹) was below recommendations for athletes. A substantial proportion of jockeys failed to meet the estimated average requirement and lower threshold intake for a number of micronutrients. Jockeys consumed well below (0-2) the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables set by the World Health Organization. Pressures of the jockey lifestyle and rigid weight limits appear to encourage unhealthy weight management practices in this group and may risk long term-health.

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Publication Date: 2011-04-21 PubMed ID: 21506039DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2011.560173Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary

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The research study explores the dietary habits, lifestyle, and weight management practices of professional jockeys, and finds that they often resort to unhealthy measures such as sauna use, excessive exercise to induce sweat, and drastically restricted energy intake to meet strict weight limits.

Research Objective and Methodology

The objective of this research was to identify and understand the nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys.
The researchers conducted their study using a mixed method approach. This included the use of a questionnaire and a food diary, which the participants filled out over a period of seven days.

Key Findings

The study found that a significant portion of jockeys resort to acute weight loss strategies. These include excessive use of saunas and rigorous exercise designed to induce sweating. This category includes 86% of the participants.
About 71% of the participants reported used severely restricted energy intake as a weight loss technique.
The study also found that of all the jockeys who smoked, 56% used smoking as a method to control their weight.
A significant number of jockeys (86%) said they aimed for a 2-kg weight loss in a 24 to 48-hour period before a race day.
The research showed that the participants’ average daily energy intake was low. The mean was recorded at 1,803 kcal, which is insufficient to sustain daily metabolic processes.
The study found that the jockeys’ carbohydrate intake was below the recommended levels for athletes.
Many jockeys did not meet the estimated average requirement and lower threshold intake for several key micronutrients.
Participants were found to be consuming fewer than the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables as suggested by the World Health Organization.

Implications of the Research

This research highlights the potential health risks that professional jockeys face due to their rigorous weigh control practices.
The study suggests that the lifestyle and stringent weight limits that are characteristic of this profession may encourage unhealthy weight management practices.
As a result, professional jockeys may be jeopardizing their long-term health for the sake of fulfilling these obligations.

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APA

Dolan E, O'Connor H, McGoldrick A, O'Loughlin G, Lyons D, Warrington G. (2011). Nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys. J Sports Sci, 29(8), 791-799. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.560173

Publication

Journal of sports sciences

ISSN: 1466-447X

NlmUniqueID: 8405364

Country: England

Language: English

Volume: 29

Issue: 8

Pages: 791-799

Researcher Affiliations

Dolan, Eimear

School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

O'Connor, Helen

McGoldrick, Adrian

O'Loughlin, Gillian

Lyons, Deirdre

Warrington, Giles

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Athletes
Health Surveys
Horses
Humans
Life Style
Male
Nutrition Assessment
Sports
Weight Loss / physiology
Young Adult

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.

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