Research Analysis
Josh Halley
Product Design & Technology
09005886
Protection and safety equipment
for Jockeys
Introduction
FYP IDEA: Protection and safety equipment for Jockeys
Main goals:
• To help design a product the helps Jockeys to prevent injuries
• To increase comfort and mobility
• To understand the users needs
• To design a product that works and is aesthetically pleasing.
• Jockeys sustain many injuries over their careers most
jockeys careers end due injuries
• These include, Concussion, Broken fingers, arms, legs
ankles, collarbones, Spinal injuries, Dislocations of
shoulders, fingers and knees.
•
The risk factors that jockeys face are so high that
Insurance premiums to cover these athletes are among
the highest in all professional sports
• The Jockeys' Guild receives 2,500 injury notifications in
a year. The average jockey gets side-lined by injuries
about three times a year.
• There are two pieces of safety equipment a Jockey
Must wear when riding.
European standard
Helmet
EN13158:2000 level 1
BSEN1384 and
PAS015:1998
Body protector
Primary Research
• INTERVIEW 1 Main findings: Aidan Coleman
•
•
•
•
•
Falls this season: 6
Injuries sustained from race riding: Broken collar bone 10 times, Bruised ribs, Bruised
shoulder and bruised shoulder blades .
Would like to see development in the protection area especially to try and prevent
collar bone breaks
Did not know that body protector does not protect against spinal injuries
Uses foam ankle supports to give support in in the leg and to help against the impact
of a kick.
What is the most vital piece of equipment you wear and why do you think this?
•
“Helmet for sure then goggles then gum guard I would feel really bare without them.
Iv got hit in the head a few times and it has saved my skin. I get about three new
helmets a year”.
INTERVIEW 2 Main findings: Jack Doyle
• Falls this season:8
• Injuries sustained race riding:
“Worst injuries was dislocating my knee had to get surgery. I broke just minor thing
collarbone 3 times, fingers multiple times, right wrist twice and just bruises and cuts
after that”.
• Finds it hard to get a good fit with the body protector
• Would like for the body protector to be more bespoke
• Straps ankle underneath boot to give support because he finds it
his most injury prone are when he falls off.
• Would like to be able to manoeuvre better.
• Thinks more research should be put into protecting the spine
and neck.
INTERVIEW 3 Main findings: Tom Garner
• Falls this season:1
• Injuries sustained race riding: Crushed T6 vertebrae, Broke left collarbone 3 time,
Right collar bone 2 times, and Fractured wrist 3 times, Suffered two concussions
• Out injured with fractured wrist and Broken Collarbone
• Wears ankle strapping to give support and to prevent against Kicking
• Does not like wearing gum guard
• Finds It hard to move in body protector
• Does not wear shoulder pads
• Would only wear shoulder pads if the were not bulky and comfortable
INTERVIEW: Chief medical officer for the Irish Racing Authorities
DR ADRIAN McGOLDRICK
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Head is the most important place to protect
Head of the European Equestrian helmet Association
Done extensive research into Jockeys and there nutrition and how
dehydration effect recovery time
He sets the standards on what jockeys must wear
Trying to ban non polycarbonate goggles
2 jockeys have been done damage to their eyes because the
goggles have shattered
Would like to see a better design of the shoulder pad, There is no
standard for them.
Is trying to bring in a new standard of helmet, Manufacturers cant
meet the requirements.
Jockeys should not wear neck brace while ridding neck needs to be
able to roll in a fall.
Most common injuries he sees are clavicle breaks and shoulder
dislocations
Medical crew have to cut the body protector off in worst cases
Observation Main Findings: At the races
• Jockeys have personal preference to the way they
dress
• They don’t tie their leg straps until they are told to
tie up
• Most jockeys use Under armour to keep warm
leggings and shorts help everything to keep
together
• Image is important
• Jockeys use strapping around there shoulders and
ankles to help injuries from happening
• Weight is a big issue some jockeys take out foam
inserts to help them make the weight
• Goggles tend to keep goggles in side silks if it is
raining to prevent them from fogging before they
put them on
• Don’t wear shoulder pads.
Secondary research
Products for Jockeys on the market:
•
•
•
Racesafe body protectors are the only one body protector that jockeys
must wear that is of racing standard in Europe.
Only covers them on a racetrack and is not for home use.
Three types of helmets that are on the market
European standards for racing equipment
• Each item must be tested to certain
European standard
• The National racing authorities get their
chief medical officer to set standards
• Money is given to research and
development
Body Protectors - a new European Standard
for body protectors was published in March
2000 (EN 13158:2000
Helmets - The existing European Standard
(EN 1384:1996)
Injury Statistics In Ireland From 2007 to 2011
• Falls are uncommon but when
they do occur injury rate is
very high
• Fall rate is low but injury rate
is high due to higher jumps
and the races are faster
• Fall rate is Higher but injuries are
less common because of numbers
in the race, jumps are smaller and
is run at a slower speed
Product Failure
Shoulder Pads
Tail bone Protection
Foam Comes down to
protect tail bone, Leg
straps keep it contoured
to the body
Products on the market
•
There are many Products on the market that can not be used for racing
Purposes but could be evolved for racing use in the future.
Point2pro Jacket
•
•
•
•
•
Jacket has airbag that inflates when you
fall
Testing is being done to adapt it for racing
Jockeys don’t like the Product as it is to
bulky to wear and does not protect
enough areas
Has exploded randomly
You Have to come away from the saddle
for it to inflate.
Kan Tech Body protector
• Level 3 Beta protector
• Made from New form Of polyurethane foam
• Moulds to the body
• Is not light weight
• Protects and covers the ribcage
Woof Wear Exo skeleton
•
•
•
Helps spread impact
Heavy
Stiff does not fit to
contours
OVERALL Key Research findings:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Jockeys want to see change.
Has to fit right
Has to be Comfy
Gives adequate protection
Helps prevent injuries such as collar bone
breaks and dislocations
Aesthetically pleasing
Light weight
Must fit to the body
Must be able to absorb and spread the impact
Durable and able to allow sweat out
Washable
Easy for the medic crews to get off.
Head needs to roll in a fall
Ankle foam supports are you used for support
and to help from a kick