ABSTRACT
THE TRAINING EFFECTS OF HORSEBACK RIDING & ITS IMPLICATION ON FITNESS & WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Lee, Yoon Sim – Irene.
Email: irene@fitpro.com.my. Phd. Sports Science, Open University Malaysia
Purpose: Horse back riding is often perceived as a low metabolic physical activity. Limited research is available documenting the training effects specific to this form of activity although it is widely implemented by the internationally established ‘Riding for the Disabled Association’ (RDA) through its rehabilitative therapy programs designed for individuals suffering from neuromuscular dysfunction. This research attempts to demonstrate significant findings in core musculature stabilization and neuromuscular improvement which may be of added value for the prehabilitative implementation into a fitness and wellness program designed towards positive weight control and back health. Methods: 2 groups of non-randomised heterogeneous volunteer subjects (N=100) aged > 18 years from within the Klang Valley will participate in this observational and experimental research. The first group comprising trained subjects (n=50) from various riding clubs with a minimum of 1 year riding experience will be treated as case studies in a qualitative, factorial design observational study documenting the training effects of horseback riding. Control subjects will be categorized according to years of experience (1-2 and >3 years) and frequency of riding (1-2 and >3 times/week). Dependent factors to be measured include heart rate responses using heart rate monitors during different riding gaits of walking, sitting trot, rising trot and cantering. Subjects will be tested to measure various components of fitness including core stability through the Sharpened Rhomberg balance test, cardiovascular fitness using the Queen’s college step test, body composition using the 3-sites Jackson and Pollock skinfold caliper protocol, muscular endurance using the maximal push up and abdominal crunch tests and hamstring flexibility through supine range of motion at the hip joint with extended knees. The second group comprising untrained subjects (n=50) will undergo a controlled, longitudinal experimental research study documenting the pre and post intervention training effects of a basic fitness riding program over 6 months. Mixed factorial, within subject, repeated measures design ANOVA tests will be used to investigate the main effects on multiple factors at baseline and subsequently on a monthly basis upon commencement of experimental intervention on test subjects and during horseback riding at various gaits on control and test subjects. Paired t-tests for dependent factors will be used to compare differences from baseline and at monthly intervals. Outcome: It is hoped that the information generated from these findings will suggest and support horseback riding as an alternative form of physical activity that may be undertaken for fitness goals other than just a competitive sport.
