Assessment of core stability in equestrian riders.

Overview

• This study investigated differences in core stability among sport horse riders, recreational horse riders, and non-riders.
• The research aimed to determine if horse riding improves core stability compared to not engaging in sports.

Introduction and Background

• Core stability refers to the ability to control and perform movements through proper function of the body’s deep muscles and neuromuscular system.
• Optimal core stability is crucial for injury prevention, particularly during physical activity.
• Poor core stability can lead to higher risk of injuries.
• Horse riding is a physical activity that may enhance core stability because it involves controlling the body posture and movements.

Objective of the Study

• The primary goal was to compare core stability between three different groups:
• Sport horse riders (competitive riders with extensive training)
• Recreational horse riders (non-competitive, less frequent training)
• Non-horse riders (people not participating in any sports)
• The hypothesis was that horse riders would demonstrate superior core stability compared to non-riders, with sport riders showing the best performance.

Methods

• Participants: 75 individuals aged 15-30 years divided into three groups — 20 recreational riders, 20 sport riders, and 35 non-riders.
• Group assignment was based on a questionnaire completed by the participants.
• Four core stability tests were administered to all participants to evaluate their core muscle function and control.
• Statistical analysis was conducted using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify significant differences between groups.

Results

• Sport horse riders scored the highest in all core stability tests, indicating the best core stability.
• Recreational horse riders scored lower than sport riders but better than non-riders, reflecting a positive effect of some level of horse riding training.
• Non-horse riders had the lowest core stability scores among the three groups.
• No significant statistical relationship was found between training frequency among horse riders and their test results, suggesting that factors other than training frequency, like training duration or intensity, may influence core stability.

Conclusions

• Horse riding positively influences core stability, improving all measured parameters.
• Longer duration of equestrian training correlates with better core stability outcomes.
• The findings imply that participating in horse riding, especially at a competitive level, enhances the neuromuscular control and strength of deep core muscles.
• This suggests that horse riding can be an effective physical activity for improving core stability and potentially reducing injury risk.