Research into jockeys’ concussions looks at ways to detect when a jockey is fit to return to riding

Melbourne research has found jockeys have the highest rate of concussion of any sport in the world and many are unknowingly back riding before their concussion has healed.

Jockeys are five times more likely to suffer a concussion than an AFL footballer. Picture: AFP

Fears jockeys might be returning to the saddle too soon after concussions are leading researchers to examine virtual reality and other tests to ease their danger.

New Melbourne research has found jockeys not only have the highest rate of concussion of any sport in the world – they are five times more likely to suffer a concussion than an AFL footballer – but that many are unknowingly back riding before their concussion has healed.

But backed by Racing Victoria, scientists led by La Trobe University’s Associate Professor Brad Wright are developing new ways to accurately detect when a jockey is fit to return to the saddle.

The ongoing testing includes new virtual reality eye tracking technology being trialled by 165 Australian hoops, as well as blood tests that can reveal hidden signs of concussion not detectable though the current standard questions and answer-type protocols.

La Trobe University’s Associate Professor Brad Wright with jockey Will Price. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Associate Professor Wright said that about five per cent of Australian professional jockeys are diagnosed with a concussion each year, with many returning to riding on self-reporting that they feel OK despite growing evidence of undetected injuries.

“Our research is really looking at working out when somebody is safe to return to play,” A/Prof Wright said.

“Current practice is around looking at cognition and how people are functioning in terms of their ability to think and whether their symptoms have resolved, such as headaches and nausea.

“(But) it could be that somebody has no symptoms that they’ve got a complete recovery of function, but the injury may not have resolved which potentially is a bit of an issue.

“We think that people who go on to have chronic or enduring illness post concussion have it because they have a (second) concussion that occurs on top of an unresolved concussion.”

Findings of the Racing Victoria-backed study reveal that under the current protocols jockeys report their concussion symptoms as having resolved either seven days or a month after a fall, while computerised CogSport testing returned similar results for both concussed and non-concussed jockeys.

The research is looking at working out when a jockey is safe to return to riding after being concussed. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But the results published in the Journal of Neurotrauma reveal much more accurate blood tests detected telltale biomarker signs of ongoing concussion injury far longer that the reported symptoms, confirming concerns jockeys were returning to riding too soon.

“Our findings tell us is that we shouldn’t be looking at this blood biomarker in isolation, our research showed that it was a combination of the cognitive testing as well as blood biomarkers that gave us the best indication of when somebody had recovered,” a/Prof Wright said.

“So we’re not saying that we do things differently, we’re saying that we should maybe add something to it.”

In a further advance, the La Trobe researchers are putting jockeys through their paces by measuring the speed of their eye tracking while riding a mechanical horse in virtual races.

The research found about five per cent of Australian professional jockeys are diagnosed with a concussion each year. Picture: AFP

As well as being able identify subtle otherwise undetectable lingering signs of concussion, A/Prof Wright said the eye tracking explained why injured jockeys were 2-10 times more likely to have another fall and concussion, as they were slower to detect dangers.

“With eye tracking cameras within that environment we can we can look at the have a strong, reliable, valid measure of brain function that is fairly quick and easy to do,” he said.

“Potentially, we can use this to help with diagnosis on the day, but also to work out when somebody has recovered to the pre-concussion baseline levels.”

Jockey Will Price has had a few falls he is yet to suffer a concussion – while he is keen for that to continue, he is also aware of the dangers of his sport and desperate for better diagnosis and measures to protect riders.

“I look at racing as a career for life so, to be able for me to be able to come into the industry and have this technology so early in my career, it’s only going to benefit myself and other rider in the long run,” Price said.

“As jockeys we’re sort of in love with riding the animals and in love riding winners and being successful. So I know that there are many jockeys that would push themselves to come back as quickly as possible to get out there and get riding again.

‘So to have technology like this to be there for us, to be able to show us that if we’re not ready we’ve got to take more time off, this tool is massive for us.”