title: Physiological and health characteristics of ex-jockeys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The long-term health implications resulting from extreme and chronic weight cycling and the associated energy restricted lifestyle of a professional jockey remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to describe and evaluate the physiological and health characteristics of retired jockeys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retired male jockeys (n=28; age 59±6yr; height 1.65±0.03m; body mass 73.7±10.9kg; BMI 26.9±3.8kgm(-2)) participated. Body composition (by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA), resting metabolic rate (RMR), glucose metabolism (by oral glucose tolerance test; OGTT), lipids and thyroid function were assessed. All data were interpreted in relation to established age specific reference ranges for the particular assessment undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty three percent of the retired jockeys were classified as overweight, while 21% were obese. RMR was calculated as 1447±201kcalday(-1). Mean total cholesterol was 5.93±1.5mmolL(-1) for those not on cholesterol lowering medication and 5.09±1.1mmolL(-1) for those currently taking medication. No abnormalities in glucose metabolism and thyroid function were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic weight cycling during a career as a professional jockey did not induce any health consequences in the retired jockeys assessed in this study, however enhanced weight gain and dyslipidaemia were evident. Results suggest jockeys should be tracked longitudinally throughout their racing career and beyond to further establish long-term physical health implications associated with the current lifestyle of a professional jockey.
authors.affiliation: Applied Sports Performance Research Group, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland; The Turf Club, Ireland. Electronic address: sarah.cullen6@mail.dcu.ie.
authors.forename: SarahJane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.affiliation: Applied Sports Performance Research Group, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donohoe
authors.affiliation: The Turf Club, Ireland.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGoldrick
authors.affiliation: Applied Sports Performance Research Group, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Donaghy
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tormey
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
authors.forename: Diarmuid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Applied Sports Performance Research Group, School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Giles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Warrington
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D056352:Athletes; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D012179:Retirement; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol; D005947:Glucose
keywords: BMI; Energy restriction; Horse-racing; Metabolism; Retired jockeys