The Jockey Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The short and long term health consequences of professional horseracing.
IRAS ID
209266
Contact name
Julia Newton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The socioeconomic burden of osteoarthritis is well described. Injury is one of the major modifiable risk factors for future osteoarthritis. Low bone mineral density (BMD) and reduced muscle bulk increases the risk of traumatic, as well as non traumatic, fracture. Horse racing is a popular, but high risk, worldwide sport. Jockeys suffer frequent traumatic fractures and also jockeys engage in concerning practices to achieve low body weights. We have undertaken a cross sectional study of newly licensed jockeys demonstrating lower than average bone density in ~70% of newly licensed jockeys aged 17-26 years old. The overall aim of this study is to undertake baseline tests (blood test for vitamin d, bone density, muscle mass, body fat, fitness tests, medical questionnaire) on newly licensed jockeys (since Jan 2011) and follow them for 12 months.
The British Horse Racing Authority keep audit data on falls and injuries on race courses. We will then use statistical modelling to see if any individual baseline measurement or combination of measurements helps predict which jockeys are more at risk of falls and fracture.
Depending upon the results, this information can then be used to support legislative change, design intervention packages to improve these baseline measurements and/or current practice with the aim of improving musculoskeletal health.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0020
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion