Workday Habits and Fatigue of American Jockeys

Objective: 1) Characterize the workday habits of American jockeys, and 2) Evaluate the relationship between workday habits and fatigue through changes in postural stability (balance) across their workday. Methods: Thirty-seven jockeys participated in pre- and post-race day testing. Jockeys completed questionnaires on workday habits and a two-minute balance test with tri-axial accelerometers on the unstable surface and sacrum. Results: The median caloric intake during their workday was 263.8 kcal. Wilcoxon-signed rank tests reported no significant changes in balance across the workday. Statistically significant (p<0.05) correlations existed between sleep (τ= -0.41) and number of races ridden (τ= 0.37) with balance variables. Conclusions: American jockeys exhibit weight-cycling behaviors, primarily restricted caloric and fluid intake. No changes were evaluated in balance across the workday. Future research should focus on evaluating other fatigue mechanisms involving abdominal muscle fatigue and cognitive fatigue.