The average weight of a jockey is about the same as a 13 -year-old boy.

McCoy, knighted in 2016 , said he “made weight” for races by having hot baths, operating with sweat suits on, and using saunas.

“Unfortunately I went there[ LJMU] at the latter part of my career, when I was near retirement, but I ran there because I was interested.

“Maybe I could’ve been so much better if I’d had the access to something like this earlier.

“It could’ve attained me better; it could’ve induced me last longer; it could’ve constructed me a much better jockey.”

Profile: AP McCoy

Born in Moneyglass, County Antrim on 4 May 1974 Won the Grand National on his 15 th attempt with Don’t Push It in 2010 His total number of winners( 4,358) is nearly 1,000 greater than his nearest challenger( Richard Johnson on 3,377) He won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2010 and was knighted for services to racing in 2016 While racing he maintained his weight at about 10 st 3lb – his natural weight would have been closer to 12 st Image caption Former jockey George Wilson aims to help jockeys manage their weight more safely Boy, 13, caught driving auto with toddler and mum inside Homeless ‘devastated’ by doorway death ‘I was stalked by a polar bear’ Image caption Adele Mulrennan, a former jockey, was worried about her husband Paul’s attempts to build weight Image caption AP McCoy retired in 2015