Drive to win could have fatal results for jockeys

Date Published: {J}

A study on rapid weight-loss methods used by jockeys – and the dangers of such practices – compiled by a Galway student based in the UK has been making headlines across the Irish Sea.

Craughwell’s Nóra Ní Fhlannagáin, who undertook the research as part of her undergraduate project at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, announced her findings at the British Dietetic Association Research Symposia for Dieticians New to Research in London two weeks ago and, since then, she has been giving interviews to newspapers and radio stations across the UK, including BBC Radio Scotland.

Her study revealed that almost 82% of horse jockeys in the UK – including Irish jockeys based overseas – use rapid weight loss methods, which, in later years, could be detrimental to their health. These problems could relate to kidney or cardio-vascular issues.

Yet, for all that, Ní Fhlannagáin says there is an unwillingness there to address this subject or recognise the dangers rapid weight loss methods (RWLM) present.

“I suppose, the kind of feeling I got was ‘if it is not broken, why fix it?’ They say ‘people have been doing this for generations why would it hurt me?’. Also, all the jockeys I spoke to, the majority were young men who are really ‘here and now’ and they don’t care that in 50 years time they may be crippled or they could have kidney problems or cardio-vascular problems. They just want to win right now.”

She notes nutritional professionals are made available by the British Horseracing Authority – while those attending jockey

training school must undertake the module on nutrition – but

the message on sensible dieting for jockeys is falling on deaf

ears.

“The message isn’t being received,” says the 23-years-old. “The jockeys don’t seem to be engaging or using the message. Obviously, the jockeys are young men, competitive athletes, and they just want to win rather than look at it that in 50 years time they might be ill. So, different methods have to be used to deliver the message, such as sell it that by using different methods you can increase your performance.

“They also need to realise that these rapid weight loss methods cause decreased hand-eye coordination, decreased concentration and decreased strategy-making skills. Those kinds of things affect your performance. So, maybe, changing the message around from a long term viewpoint to the immediate performance benefits of healthier weight-loss would get the message across better.”

In all, Ní Fhlannagáin interviewed 99 professional, amateur and apprentice jockeys across the UK, with 82% admitting to using RWLM.

“The jockeys were so nice; I have never spoken to a nicer bunch of people,” she says. “They were so generous with their time. They were also very truthful as well, I felt. Obviously, they were guaranteed anonymity in taking part, but they were very open with their answers.”

Most people with even a cursory interest in horse-racing will recognise the battle many jockeys have with their weights and most will be familiar with their methods of shedding the pounds.

“The most popular were skipping one or two meals a day, a sauna – with or without covering their body in lotion—and hot baths, along with limiting their fluid intake, fasting and using a sweat suit.

“So, you have all your common ones – like exercising in a sweat suit, or a sauna, or exercising in a sweat suit in a sauna! – and then there were some pretty interesting ones like wearing a sweat suit and turning the heating up full blast in the car while they were driving, which is incredibly dangerous. You could fall asleep and crash the car!

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.