Driver's Education, Suffolk County

Psychological Effects of rapid weight loss and attitudes toward food in Professional Jockeys. Brunel University. Year 2008

Authors: Michael J. Caulfield, Costas I. Karageorghis

School of Sport and Education Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

We examined the psychological effects of rapid weight loss in a sample of 41 professional jockeys (mean age: 30 , 9, s = 7.0). Participants completed the scale Mood Brunel (Brunel Mood Scale, BRUMS) Test Behavior and Food-26 (Eating Attitudes Test-16, EAT-26) to establish the relationship between rapid weight loss, mood and attitudes to power.

These instruments were administered three times: with the minimum weight of jockey (achieved through rapid weight loss), with the optimal weight (when weight is not unduly restricted and feel healthy) and with their relaxed weight (when they should not deal soon light or when you ride ride in all). It was hypothesized that when the jockeys mounted with minimum weight, have a profile of negative mood compared to optimal or relaxed weights. The same trend was expected to eating behaviors.

These hypotheses were supported as jockeys reported significantly negative profiles of mood and eating behaviors to meet the minimum weight. The EAT-26 indicated the presence of conduct disorders in relation to food.

These results suggest that the effort that jockeys should be made to enter a minimum weight set by the governing bodies may jeopardize their psychological state. It encourages a dialogue can be established regarding the appropriateness of current weight regulations.

Original Text

"Psychological effects of rapid weight loss and attitudes towards eating among professional jockeys"

Authors : Michael J. Caulfield; Costas I. Karageorghis

School of Sport and Education, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England

Abstract

We examined the psychological effects of rapid weight loss among a sample of 41 professional jockeys (mean age 30.9 years, s = 7.0). Participants completed the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) to establish the relationships between rapid weight loss, mood, and attitudes towards eating.

These instruments were administered on three occasions: at the jockeys' minimal weight (achieved through rapid weight loss), their optimal riding weight (when they were not excessively restricting their weight and felt healthy), and their relaxed weight (when there were no forthcoming light rides or no rides at all). It was hypothesized that when riding at minimal weight, jockeys would record a more negative mood profile compared with scores recorded at optimal or relaxed weights. The same trend was expected for eating attitudes.

These hypotheses were supported as jockeys reported significantly more negative mood profiles and eating attitudes at minimal weight. The EAT-26 scores indicated the presence of disordered attitudes towards eating at this weight. These results suggest that jockeys' endeavours to reach the minimum weight limit stipulated by governing bodies are likely to jeopardize their psychological well-being. Dialogue surrounding the appropriateness of current weight regulations is therefore encouraged.

Fuente : Journal of Sports Sciences. Volume 26, Issue 9, First published 2008, Pages 877 - 88

Traducción: Miguel Almanza