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International journal of environmental research and public health2020; 17(22); doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228648

Horse-Riding Competitions Pre and Post COVID-19: Effect of Anxiety, sRPE and HR on Performance in Eventing.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to quantify the impact of training restrictions, due to COVID-19 sanitary emergency, on physical and emotional strain of horse-riding Eventing competitions before and after eight weeks of lockdown. Performance was assessed by the penalty points attained, anxiety by the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, strain by the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) method. Moreover, Heart Rate was continuously monitored for fifty-four female national level Eventing horse-riders. Lockdown decreased performance outcome of horse-riders in Eventing competitions up to six weeks, with the Dressage test being the most affected discipline. Performance in Dressage was strongly related to both anxiety and session-RPE. After lockdown, Show-Jumping and Cross-Country courses were shorter allowing RPE to remain stable, session-RPE to significantly decline and cardiovascular strain not to exceed pre-lockdown values. In conclusion, emotional stress in Dressage and workload in Cross-Country should be carefully managed by equestrian Eventing stakeholders when planning training and competitions after a period of lockdown. Moreover, sRPE appears to offer a practical method of monitoring riders load during training and competition and could also be of use for home-based training during any future sport activities restrictions.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-21 PubMed ID: 33233325PubMed Central: PMC7700127DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228648Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the performance of horse-riders in Eventing competitions, finding noteworthy influences on both emotional and physical strain that can inform future training and competition strategies.

Research Overview

The researchers aimed to explore the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the physical and emotional strain in Eventing horse-riding competitions. They evaluated the competitors’ performance, emotional strain (anxiety), and exertion levels before and after a period of lockdown to draw conclusions on how these factors were influenced.

Methodology

  • The performance was gauged based on the penalty points the participants accrued during the competition.
  • The researchers assessed anxiety levels using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2.
  • The physical strain was evaluated using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) method. Session-RPE was also considered for in-depth analysis.
  • Lastly, the heart rate of the participants was continuously monitored, serving as an indicator of their cardiovascular strain.

Participants

The study included 54 female horse-riders competing at a national level in Eventing competitions.

Findings

After eight weeks of lockdown, the researchers observed a decrease in the performance of the horse-riders up to a period of six weeks – the Dressage test was particularly influenced.

  • The Dressage test performance was directly linked to anxiety levels and the session-RPE. There was a significant decline in these factors post-lockdown.
  • Likewise, for Show-Jumping and Cross-Country following the lockdown, the courses were shortened, which helped keep the RPE stable.
  • The cardiovascular strain did not surpass the pre-lockdown stages in both Show-Jumping and Cross-Country disciplines.

Conclusion and Implications

The researchers concluded that managing emotional stress in Dressage and workload in Cross-Country events is crucial when planning training and competitions after a period of lockdown. They suggested that the sRPE can be a practical method for monitoring riders’ training and competition load, and can also be effective for home-based training in case of future sport activities restrictions. The findings of this research can be beneficial for Eventing stakeholders in making informed decisions about training and competition structuring during or post-lockdown periods.

Cite This Article

APA
Demarie S, Galvani C, Billat VL. (2020). Horse-Riding Competitions Pre and Post COVID-19: Effect of Anxiety, sRPE and HR on Performance in Eventing. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228648

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 22

Researcher Affiliations

Demarie, Sabrina
  • Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza de Bosis 6, 00135 Roma, Italy.
Galvani, Christel
  • Applied Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milano, Italy.
Billat, Veronique Louise
  • Unit of Integrative Biology of Adaptations to Exercise, EA 7362, Université d'Evry-Val d'Essonne, Genopole, 91037 Evry, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Athletes / psychology
  • Athletic Performance / psychology
  • COVID-19
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Sports / psychology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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