Electromyographic analysis of muscle activation of the trunk and lower limbs during human gait and hippotherapy using different ride mount materials.

This research analyzes muscle activation in the trunk and lower limbs during normal walking (human gait) and when participating in hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding) in 40 young, healthy, non-exercising participants. The study concluded that hippotherapy and human gait show similar patterns of muscle activation, and that factors such as the type of saddle or stirrups used during hippotherapy does not significantly affect muscle activity.

Objectives and Methodology

• The study aimed to measure muscle activation in the trunk and lower limbs during normal walking and during hippotherapy. This was done to understand similarities or differences in muscle activity between the two scenarios.
• For this purpose, the researchers examined four different muscles: the multifidus (in the lower back), the rectus abdominis (the ‘abs’), the rectus femoris (located in the thigh), and the tibialis anterior (located in the lower leg).
• Surface electromyography, a diagnostic procedure that records the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles, was used to measure muscle activation.
• Participants, who were healthy, young, and not exercising regularly, walked independently with sneakers and during hippotherapy, using different saddles and blankets, and with their feet either in or out of the stirrups.

Results

• Analysis of surface electromyography readings revealed a significantly greater activation of the rectus femoris muscle (in the thigh) as compared to the tibialis anterior muscle (in the lower leg) during hippotherapy.
• No significant differences were observed when comparing factors associated with the type of hippotherapy mount material (like the type of saddle or blanket) and muscle activation.
• There were also no significant differences in muscle activation between walking and hippotherapy.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that there were similarities in muscle activation in the trunk and lower limbs during hippotherapy and walking. In other words, both activities activate the same muscles to a similar extent.
• The research also suggested that the materials and practices used during hippotherapy (such as the type of saddle or whether participants placed their feet in the stirrups) did not significantly influence muscle activity.
• These findings might help to inform the way hippotherapy is administered and used in therapeutic settings and improve our understanding of muscle activation during different types of movement.