New Jockey Matters Film Aims to Raise Awareness of Concussion across the Sport
To coincide with the start of the core Jump season, JETS has released an important new film in the Jockey Matters series focusing on Concussion.
Featuring Derby-winning Flat Jockey Martin Dwyer and Grand National-winning Jump Jockey Liam Treadwell, who have both experienced issues related to concussion, the film looks at the symptoms of concussion, the risks of riding with concussion and how concussion should be treated. It asks industry participants to be more aware of the symptoms and to urge jockeys they’re concerned about to seek medical advice before continuing to ride.
Alongside an enhanced Concussion protocol and the “If in doubt, sit it out” awareness campaign led by the BHA, the film aims to tackle some of the common misconceptions around concussion and highlights the treatment options available to jockeys to ensure they return to riding as quickly and safely as possible.
Dr Jerry Hill, chief Medical Advisor at the BHA said, “As an industry we have a collective responsibility for recognising and managing concussion in our sport. In addition to medical staff, jockeys, valets, stable staff, trainers and coaches all have a duty to ensure appropriate assessments and management of potential concussion. This will reduce the risk of jockeys riding with impaired performance and risking further injury to themselves and their colleagues and hopefully protect against long term complications.”
The film also features experts in the field of concussion including Dr. Michael Turner, Medical Director of the International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation (ICHIRF) and former BHA Medical Advisor, who is leading a worldwide research project into the long term effects of concussion on men and women who have competed in impact sports.
Among the issues raised in the film is the fact that many jockeys may suffer falls on the gallops which go undiagnosed. Dr Turner states; “Employers must ensure the jockey is cleared to ride by a medical professional, they’re taking a huge risk if they decide themselves if the jockey is or isn’t suffering from concussion.”
The film was previewed by Jump jockeys attending the BHA seminars earlier this month and received an overwhelmingly positive response. Richard Johnson, Jump President of the Professional Jockeys Association said, ““This is another brilliant film and a really important one all jockeys need to watch, and the same goes for trainers and stable staff too. Concussion is a head injury nobody should ignore and we all need to look out for each other and make sure suspected concussion is treated properly.”
The Jockey Matters films can be viewed online at www.jets-uk.org/jockeymatters where jockeys can also find contacts for the wide range of support and advice that is available to them.