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Scientific reports2025; 15(1); 14686; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-98683-9

Relationship between experience and head kinematics in race riding jockeys.

Abstract: Thoroughbred race-riding requires jockeys to attenuate horse movement and maintain postural stability whilst galloping at high speeds. This study aimed to investigate the head movement of jockeys in relation to race-riding experience. Accelerometer and heart rate data were collected from twelve apprentice and two senior jockeys during 85 exercise rides and 82 trial rides. Mean head displacements were determined for each jockey by double integrating the filtered acceleration data. A mixed effect multivariable linear regression model was used to investigate the relationship between jockey experience, physiological variables and head kinematics. The median (IQR) head displacement was higher for exercise riding (0.12 m, 0.09-0.14 m) than trial riding (0.06 m, 0.05-0.09 m). Jockey head displacement decreased with increasing speed of the horse (p < 0.001) and greater jockey experience (p = 0.007). Higher exercise load had a greater effect on head displacement with less experienced jockey's (p = 0.02). The effect of speed was lower for trial riding than exercise riding (p < 0.001). More experienced jockeys had a greater ability to attenuate horse oscillation than inexperienced jockeys. This ability became more pronounced at higher exercise loads, reflecting a higher level of physical fitness and riding skill level. Measurement of jockey head displacement may provide a simple measure of assessing jockey race-riding ability or fitness.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-04-26 PubMed ID: 40287497PubMed Central: PMC12033360DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-98683-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Overview

  • This study examined how the experience level of race-riding jockeys affects their head movement and stability while riding Thoroughbred horses at high speeds.
  • It found that more experienced jockeys exhibit less head displacement, indicating better control and stability, especially during intense exercise conditions.

Introduction

  • Thoroughbred race-riding requires jockeys to manage and reduce the horse’s movement impact on their bodies while maintaining balance at high speeds.
  • Head movement (kinematics) serves as an indicator of postural stability and the jockey’s ability to attenuate horse oscillations during galloping.
  • The study aimed to analyze the relationship between jockey experience, physiological load, and head displacement during race riding.

Methodology

  • Participants included 14 jockeys: 12 apprentices with less experience and 2 senior jockeys with more experience.
  • Data collection involved:
    • Accelerometers attached to jockeys’ heads to record acceleration data during 85 exercise rides and 82 trial rides.
    • Heart rate monitors tracked physiological effort during these rides.
  • Head displacement was calculated by double integrating the filtered acceleration data to quantify how much jockey heads moved during rides.
  • A mixed effect multivariable linear regression model was employed to analyze:
    • The effects of jockey experience, riding speed, and physiological variables (heart rate) on head movement.
    • Differences between two types of rides – exercise rides (training) and trial rides (lower intensity).

Results

  • The median head displacement was larger during exercise rides (0.12 meters) compared to trial rides (0.06 meters), reflecting more intense physical activity in exercise sessions.
  • Key findings include:
    • Head displacement decreased with increasing horse speed (p < 0.001) – suggesting that jockeys stabilize better at higher speeds.
    • Greater jockey experience was associated with significantly reduced head displacement (p = 0.007), indicating better postural control.
    • Less experienced jockeys showed higher head displacement at greater exercise loads (p = 0.02), suggesting physical fitness and skill play critical roles in attenuating movement.
    • The effect of speed on reducing head displacement was less pronounced during trial rides than exercise rides (p < 0.001), possibly due to lower intensity in trials.
  • Overall, experienced jockeys demonstrated superior ability to minimize the transmission of horse motion to their heads, especially in demanding riding conditions.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Experience improves a jockey’s physical fitness and skill, enhancing their ability to maintain stability and attenuate horse-induced oscillations while riding.
  • Head displacement measurement is a practical and objective method to assess jockey riding performance and fitness.
  • This measure could potentially be used to:
    • Monitor jockey training progress and skill development.
    • Inform coaching strategies to improve rider stability and safety.
    • Identify areas where less experienced jockeys require further conditioning or technique refinement.

Summary

  • This study highlights the biomechanical differences in jockey head movement based on experience levels and physiological load.
  • Higher experience correlates with reduced head movement, indicating better accommodation to horse motion and higher riding competence.
  • These insights have practical applications in racer rider training, injury prevention, and performance evaluation within the equestrian sports domain.

Cite This Article

APA
Legg KA, Cochrane DJ, Gee EK, Chin YY, Rogers CW. (2025). Relationship between experience and head kinematics in race riding jockeys. Sci Rep, 15(1), 14686. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98683-9

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 14686
PII: 14686

Researcher Affiliations

Legg, K A
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand. k.legg@massey.ac.nz.
Cochrane, D J
  • School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.
Gee, E K
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.
Chin, Y-Y
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.
Rogers, C W
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.
  • School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses / physiology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Female
  • Head / physiology
  • Sports / physiology
  • Head Movements / physiology
  • Adult
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Accelerometry

Grant Funding

  • ET2/2019 / New Zealand Equine Trust
  • ET2/2019 / New Zealand Equine Trust
  • ET2/2019 / New Zealand Equine Trust
  • ET2/2019 / New Zealand Equine Trust

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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