Career-ending injuries to professional jockeys in British horse racing (1991-2005).

Abstract

It has been previously shown that professional jump and flat racing jockeys suffer a high incidence of injury as a consequence of their profession. This paper specifically examines career-ending injuries to professional jockeys in Great Britain. To investigate career-ending injuries in professional jockeys. Analysis of prospectively collected injury database on professional jockeys. The majority of injuries in this study occurred to the head, shoulder or torso. Fractures were the most common type of injury that led to a decision to end a career, followed by neurological injury to the head and/or spine. Injuries to the head are the most common career-ending injuries, and consideration of injury counter measures could be an important strategy in equestrian sports.