Chronic fatigue, recurring injuries: Red-S, long ignored, is becoming a major concern for jockeys.
In the world of racing, jockeys' physiques are often associated with severe weight constraints. To remain competitive, many follow drastic diets or intense periods of caloric restriction. This imbalance between energy intake and expenditure can lead to a syndrome still little known to the general public: Red-S, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.
Red-S is characterized by a chronic energy deficit that prevents the body from functioning normally. In jockeys, the signs are frequent: persistent fatigue, declining performance, concentration issues, but also increased bone fragility and injuries that take a long time to heal. These symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to overtraining or a temporary dip in form, when in fact they result from a lack of fuel.
Long ignored by the racing industry, this syndrome is today taken seriously by sports doctors. Jockeys, who are subject to regular weigh-ins and strict physique requirements, constitute a particularly vulnerable population. The consequences can be serious: impairment of metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular health, with an increased risk of injuries on the track, for both the jockeys themselves and the horses.
Awareness is growing, but there is still much to be done. Nutritional and medical monitoring programs are being implemented in some stables, aiming to better support jockeys without compromising their competitiveness. The goal is to rebalance their energy intake while preserving their long-term health.
For the future of racing, it is essential that all stakeholders – trainers, owners, and governing bodies – integrate this dimension. Recognizing Red-S as a genuine occupational risk would allow for better prevention of its effects and protect those who bring the sport of horse racing to life every day.
Red-S is characterized by a chronic energy deficit that prevents the body from functioning normally. In jockeys, the signs are frequent: persistent fatigue, declining performance, concentration issues, but also increased bone fragility and injuries that take a long time to heal. These symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to overtraining or a temporary dip in form, when in fact they result from a lack of fuel.
Long ignored by the racing industry, this syndrome is today taken seriously by sports doctors. Jockeys, who are subject to regular weigh-ins and strict physique requirements, constitute a particularly vulnerable population. The consequences can be serious: impairment of metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular health, with an increased risk of injuries on the track, for both the jockeys themselves and the horses.
Awareness is growing, but there is still much to be done. Nutritional and medical monitoring programs are being implemented in some stables, aiming to better support jockeys without compromising their competitiveness. The goal is to rebalance their energy intake while preserving their long-term health.
For the future of racing, it is essential that all stakeholders – trainers, owners, and governing bodies – integrate this dimension. Recognizing Red-S as a genuine occupational risk would allow for better prevention of its effects and protect those who bring the sport of horse racing to life every day.
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Source: Ouest-France