Siobhán O'Connor1, Giles Warrington2, Grainne Whelan3, Adrian McGoldrick3, SarahJane Cullen4. 1. School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. 2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick. 3. Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, The Curragh, Kildare, Ireland; and. 4. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine concussion history, knowledge, and attitudes among Irish professional and amateur jockeys. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Questionnaire was distributed through e-mails sent to all licensed jockeys, over social media and during professional and amateur race meetings. PARTICIPANTS: An average of 23.6% (12%-44%) Irish professional and amateur jockeys (n = 119) holding a license in 2017. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Jockeys reported their previous concussion history, actions after their most recent concussion and responded to questions examining their knowledge and attitudes toward concussion. RESULTS: Amateur (32.4%) and professional (19.6%) jockeys, who were never medically diagnosed over their career, suspected that they had sustained a concussion. Jockeys displayed good knowledge of concussion signs and symptoms; yet, one in 2 jockeys would continue to ride out the same day if they suspected they had a concussion. They were less likely if they had a race that day. Reasons for continuing to ride include not considering a concussion as serious (85.7%); risk of losing the ride (84.0%); not wanting to let anyone down (77.8%); and considered it a sign of weakness (74.1%). Risky behavior was more common after a suspected concussion than a medically diagnosed concussion. CONCLUSIONS: Underreporting of concussions is proposed as a serious concern, and concussion understanding and attitudes can impact reporting. To address the issue of underreporting of concussions in Irish horseracing, there is a need to educate jockeys and the wider racing community on the importance of timely concussion assessments and access to appropriate management systems.
OBJECTIVE: To examine concussion history, knowledge, and attitudes among Irish professional and amateur jockeys. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Questionnaire was distributed through e-mails sent to all licensed jockeys, over social media and during professional and amateur race meetings. PARTICIPANTS: An average of 23.6% (12%-44%) Irish professional and amateur jockeys (n = 119) holding a license in 2017. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Jockeys reported their previous concussion history, actions after their most recent concussion and responded to questions examining their knowledge and attitudes toward concussion. RESULTS: Amateur (32.4%) and professional (19.6%) jockeys, who were never medically diagnosed over their career, suspected that they had sustained a concussion. Jockeys displayed good knowledge of concussion signs and symptoms; yet, one in 2 jockeys would continue to ride out the same day if they suspected they had a concussion. They were less likely if they had a race that day. Reasons for continuing to ride include not considering a concussion as serious (85.7%); risk of losing the ride (84.0%); not wanting to let anyone down (77.8%); and considered it a sign of weakness (74.1%). Risky behavior was more common after a suspected concussion than a medically diagnosed concussion. CONCLUSIONS: Underreporting of concussions is proposed as a serious concern, and concussion understanding and attitudes can impact reporting. To address the issue of underreporting of concussions in Irish horseracing, there is a need to educate jockeys and the wider racing community on the importance of timely concussion assessments and access to appropriate management systems.