Profiling Musculoskeletal Health Of Apprentice Jockeys

Abstract

Jockeys are an integral part of the horse racing industry with many people entering the riding profession at an early age. In order to remain within specific weight limits necessary to compete,, jockeys often engage in unhealthy weight-loss behaviours that rely on rapid, short-term weight loss and have an increased propensity to engage in disordered eating. Engaging in activities and behaviours which potentially prohibit the attainment of peak bone mass are expected to produce deleterious musculoskeletal effects in later life. PURPOSE: To profile the musculoskeletal health of male and female apprentice jockeys and controls. METHODS: Two groups of young adults comprised of male and female apprentice jockeys (n = 19, mean age 22.2 yrs, SD 8.7) and male and female controls (n = 22, mean age 23.9 yrs, SD 9.3). Peripheral Quantitative Computered Tomography (pQCT) was used to assess musculoskeletal health of the distal tibia at four sites (4%, 14%, 38% & 66% of tibial length measured distally) and distal radius at two sites (4% and 66% of radial length measured distally). Trabecular area and density, cortical area and density, and strength strain index (bone strength) were calculated. RESULTS: After covarying for differences in weight and limb length, apprentice jockeys displayed lesser cortical bone area at 14% (p=0.02), 38% (p=0.008) & 66% (p=0.02) distal tibial sites and less strength strain index (p=0.03) at 38% distal tibia compared with controls. Apprentice jockeys also displayed lesser strength strain index (p=0.006) at the 66% distal radial site compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Apprentice jockeys displayed compromised musculoskeletal health at the distal tibia and radius compared with controls. Longitudinal analysis is required to assess long-term effects of lifestyle demands on the highly vulnerable musculoskeletal health of apprentice jockeys.