PHYSIOLOGICAL DEMANDS OF FLAT HORSE RACING JOCKEYS

Cullen, S, O'Loughlin, G, McGoldrick, A, Smyth, B, May, G, and Warrington, GD. Physiological demands of flat horse racing jockeys. J Strength Cond Res 29( 11): 3060- 3066, 2015- The physiological demands of jockeys during competition remain largely unknown, thereby creating challenges when attempting to prescribe sport-specific nutrition and training guidelines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological demands and energy requirements of jockeys during flat racing. Oxygen uptake ( VO2) and heart rate ( HR) were assessed in 18 male trainee jockeys during a race simulation trial on a mechanical horse racing simulator for the typical time duration to cover a common flat race distance of 1,400 m. In addition, 8 male apprentice jockeys participated in a competitive race, over distances ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 m, during which HR and respiratory rate ( RR) were assessed. All participants performed a maximal incremental cycle ergometer test. During the simulated race, peak VO2 was 42.74 +/- 5.6 ml. kg-1. min21 ( 75 +/- 11% of VO2peak) and below the mean ventilatory threshold ( 81 +/- 5% of VO2peak) reported in the maximal incremental cycle test. Peak HR was 161 +/- 16 b. min-1 ( 86 +/- 7% of HRpeak). Energy expenditure was estimated as 92.5 +/- 18.8 kJ with an associated value of 9.4 metabolic equivalents. During the competitive race trial, peak HR reached 189 6 5 b. min21 ( 103 6 4% of HRpeak) and peak RR was 50 +/- 7 breaths per minute. Results suggest that horse racing is a physically demanding sport, requiring jockeys to perform close to their physiological limit to be successful. These findings may provide a useful insight when developing sport- specific nutrition and training strategies to optimally equip and prepare jockeys physically for the physiological demands of horse racing.