A questionnaire study exploring the recognition of concussion and influence of age, riding experience and management strategies in horse racing jockeys
Item
- Title
- A questionnaire study exploring the recognition of concussion and influence of age, riding experience and management strategies in horse racing jockeys
- Author(s)
- Tickle, L
- Abstract
- Background: Horse racing is a highly competitive and dangerous sport with numerous types of injuries, concussion being more prevalent than popular contact sports such as boxing and American football (O’Connor et al 2017; Forero Rueda et al. 2010; Balendra et al. 2007; Turner et al. 2002). Despite this, little research exists regarding a jockey’s knowledge and experience of concussion both in the acute phase and recovery phase following the injury. Objective: The objective of this study is to answer the research question; to explore the recognition of concussion and influence of age, riding experience and management strategies in horse racing jockeys. Design: Bespoke cross-sectional online survey questionnaire, informed by Mr. R. Martin (Appendix 7. 3). Method: Distributed questionnaire via open invitation on researcher’s private social media accounts Facebook and Twitter. Inclusion criteria consisted of: jockeys aged between 18-50, holding any type of prescribed jockey licence with access to social media via the internet and give their consent. Exclusion criteria involved any licenced jockey outside the age bracket, jockeys declared unfit to ride due to injury resulting in cognitive impairment and refusal of consent. The main outcome was to distinguish any presence of correlation between jockeys age, riding experience and type of licence obtained with the amount of recognition of concussion. Results were collated and analysed using Pearson’s Chi-squared test with the significance value set at 5%. Results: 50 questionnaires were submitted with one removal due to lack of consent. 49 questionnaires were assembled (approximate response rate 5.3%) and analysed. Participants portrayed good general knowledge of concussion with only two statistically significant associations found; age and signs and symptoms of concussion (p <0.01), however this was disregarded following dichotomization of age groups (p <0.63) and licence type with purely loss of consciousness resulting in concussion (p <0.04). Discussion: Although few statistically significances were found, the data exposed a number of areas of concern regarding amateur jockey’s experience of concussion, similar to previous research (O’Connor et al. 2018); they were less likely to report a concussion and more likely to continue to race ride following a concussion compared to professional riders and they were less likely to receive any medical attention or support post-concussion. Furthermore, majority of participants (71.4%) would like to receive more information regarding concussion. Conclusion: Few statistical significances were found, however, under reporting of concussion is still prevalent throughout the racing industry despite good general knowledge.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16696
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Concussion, jockys, sports injuries, treatment effectiveness
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Tickle, L, “A questionnaire study exploring the recognition of concussion and influence of age, riding experience and management strategies in horse racing jockeys”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/907