Bone Health, Nutritional Intake, Physical Activity and Quality of Life

Abstract

Weight-making practices regularly engaged by horse-racing jockeys are suggested to impair physiological and mental health. Related studies from the Asian regions are rare. PURPOSE: To compare bone health markers, nutritional intake, physical activity habits and quality of life between professional jockeys in Hong Kong and gender, age and BMI matched controls. METHODS: 14 professional male jockeys (horse racing experience: 3-27 yrs; mean age: 29.1 ± 6.1 years; BMI: 20.3 ± 1.6 kg m-2) and 14 controls (mean age: 26.0 ± 6.5 years; BMI: 21.1 ± 1.7 kg m-2) were recruited. Both groups completed a range of assessments including: (i) Anthropometry via skinfold measurement and body scale; (ii) Bone biomarkers via blood analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA); (iii) Nutritional intake via 3-day food diary and validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ); (iv) Past and current physical activity patterns via bone-specific physical activity questionnaire (BPAQ); and (v) Quality of life (QOF) questionnaire. Independent t-tests were used to identify inter-group differences. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine relationships between variables. RESULTS: The jockey group displayed significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) at both calcanei than the control group (left: 0.50 ± 0.06 vs. 0.63 ± 0.07; right: 0.51 ± 0.07 vs. 0.64 ± 0.10 g.cm-2, both P<0.01). 13 out of 14 jockeys (93%) showed either osteopenia or osteoporosis for at least one side of their calcanei based on WHO classification. Daily energy intake was lower in jockeys compared with controls (1360 ± 515 vs. 1985 ± 1046 kcal.day-1, P<0.01). Vitamin D intake is significantly correlated with left calcaneus BMD (P<0.05, R=0.657). No significant difference was found for BPAQ and QOF score. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed suboptimal bone conditions and dietary intake among professional jockeys in Hong Kong, in accordance with existing Western literature. Further research should examine the effects of improved exercise and nutritional habits on the skeletal health of elite jockeys.