Physical Fitness of Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys

Abstract

Purpose: Thoroughbred racing jockeys compete at maximum physiological capacity in a sport with a high risk of falls and injury. A greater understanding of the physical capacities determining jockey performance may lead to minimum physical performance parameters and corrective interventions to improve jockey fitness and performance and reduce jockey and horse injury. The aim of this study was to develop appropriate physical testing procedures for jockeys and a physical fitness profile for different licence levels. Methods: Fifty-eight jockeys (n = 24 females, n = 34 males), representing all apprentice jockeys licenced in New Zealand in 2021 (100%, n = 8 probationers and n = 39 apprentices) and eleven professional jockeys (14%) were assessed to determine baseline physiological and fitness data. Descriptive statistics and boxplots were used to compare aerobic fitness, abdominal (core), upper and lower body strength, muscular power, reaction time, flexibility and a novel ‘saddle’ test targeting lower body strength, balance, and endurance between licencing levels. Effect Size (ES) was used to determine magnitude of differences between groups. Results: More experienced jockeys had greater relative lower body strength (ES = 0.2–0.7) and better balance (ES = 0.5–0.9) compared to the less experienced groups. Jockeys who were in the top 20 of the premiership table (jockey rankings) had faster reaction times (ES = 0.7) and greater core extensor strength (ES = 0.7) than other cohorts. Most tests showed little differentiation between jockey licence levels, however the ‘saddle test’ showed greater variability in the less experienced race riders. This test may be an effective measure of jockey baseline performance. Conclusions: These data could be used to inform minimum jockey licencing requirements and future physical fitness training programmes to increase jockey physiological fitness, thereby minimising risk of falls or injury due to physiological deficits and performance.