Jockey Study Makes Big Strides in Nutrition

A study funded by the Racing Foundation has found that with the correct nutrition and exercise program, jockeys can make weight safely without having to compromise on meals. 

Conducted by Dr. George Wilson at Liverpool John Moores University with a five-year funding commitment from the Racing Foundation, the study will be published online in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism later this month. 

The study involved testing the body composition, resting metabolic rate, hydration status, and dietary habits of 23 male professional jockeys in Britain to form a baseline, before providing them with a personalized exercise and nutritional program. 

After annual retesting, it was found the jockeys had significantly reduced their body fat, while maintaining lean muscle mass, and significantly improved their hydration, despite increasing the frequency of meals and snacks. 

Franny Norton was one of several high-profile jockeys to take part in the study and he said: "If you'd asked me a few years ago, I'd have said that horseracing is 10 years behind in nutrition and exercise science. This work at LJMU, which is funded by the Racing Foundation, has fast-tracked our understanding of these issues, meaning racing is starting to catch up with other sports.

"It's been fantastic for us jockeys, as the weighing room mentality towards making weight is changing and jockeys are starting to understand their bodies better. Since I started on the program, I've had my best years of riding. I rode more than 100 winners in a year since following the program."

Speaking of the importance of the study, Dr. Wilson said: "It demonstrates that jockeys can improve body composition and maintain these improvements over a five-year period for making race weight, and can do so in free-living conditions where appropriate educational guidance on diet and exercise has been provided."