TY - JOUR
T1 - Nutritional, lifestyle, and weight control practices of professional jockeys
AU - Dolan, Eimear
AU - O'Connor, Helen
AU - McGoldrick, Adrian
AU - O'Loughlin, Gillian
AU - Lyons, Deirdre
AU - Warrington, Giles
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - In this study, we describe diet and lifestyle practices of professional jockeys. Participants completed a 59-item nutrition, lifestyle, and health questionnaire (n=21) and a 7-day estimated food diary (n=18). Acute weight loss strategies included the use of saunas (86%), exercising to induce sweating (81%), and restricted energy intake (71%). Of the smokers (38%), 56% used smoking to control weight. Most (86%) jockeys reported attaining a 2-kg weight loss for racing (if required) 24-48 h before or on the designated race-day. Mean daily energy intake (1803±564 kcal) was low and appeared to provide an insufficient availability of energy for sustainment of usual daily and metabolic processes. Carbohydrate intake (3.7±1.3 g. kg-1) was below recommendations for athletes. A substantial proportion of jockeys failed to meet the estimated average requirement and lower threshold intake for a number of micronutrients. Jockeys consumed well below (0-2) the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables set by the World Health Organization. Pressures of the jockey lifestyle and rigid weight limits appear to encourage unhealthy weight management practices in this group and may risk long term-health.
AB - In this study, we describe diet and lifestyle practices of professional jockeys. Participants completed a 59-item nutrition, lifestyle, and health questionnaire (n=21) and a 7-day estimated food diary (n=18). Acute weight loss strategies included the use of saunas (86%), exercising to induce sweating (81%), and restricted energy intake (71%). Of the smokers (38%), 56% used smoking to control weight. Most (86%) jockeys reported attaining a 2-kg weight loss for racing (if required) 24-48 h before or on the designated race-day. Mean daily energy intake (1803±564 kcal) was low and appeared to provide an insufficient availability of energy for sustainment of usual daily and metabolic processes. Carbohydrate intake (3.7±1.3 g. kg-1) was below recommendations for athletes. A substantial proportion of jockeys failed to meet the estimated average requirement and lower threshold intake for a number of micronutrients. Jockeys consumed well below (0-2) the recommended five daily servings of fruit and vegetables set by the World Health Organization. Pressures of the jockey lifestyle and rigid weight limits appear to encourage unhealthy weight management practices in this group and may risk long term-health.
KW - Horse racing
KW - Jockeys
KW - Nutritional analysis
KW - Weight control
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79957627966&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02640414.2011.560173
DO - 10.1080/02640414.2011.560173
M3 - Article
C2 - 21506039
AN - SCOPUS:79957627966
SN - 0264-0414
VL - 29
SP - 791
EP - 799
JO - Journal of Sports Sciences
JF - Journal of Sports Sciences
IS - 8
ER -