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.

Helmet Body protector

European standard EN13158:2000 level 1 BSEN1384 and PAS015:1998

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