Horseback Riding Improves the Ability to Cause the Appropriate Action (Go Reaction) and the Appropriate Self-control (No-Go Reaction) in Children.
Abstract: There are many obvious health benefits to riding, including developing a strong core and legs, but there are also many less obvious benefits, such as increased confidence and introspection. Few studies have addressed the effects of horseback riding on children and the mechanisms underlying how riding affects humans. We examined the effects of horseback riding on the ability to distinguish Go/No-go tasks and solve arithmetic problems in children. Methods: The subjects were 34 boys and 72 girls, aged 10-12 years old, which were divided into three groups (horse riding, walking, and resting). They were healthy typical children, who performed the Go/No-go tasks and solved the arithmetic problems. The heart rate and heart rate variability of the children, and the three-dimensional acceleration of the children while walking horses, were examined. Results: Riding on a half-breed horse or a pony improved the ability to perform Go/No-go tasks and solve arithmetic problems, possibly through sympathetic activity. Some horses, like the Kiso, might provide a healing effect to children through parasympathetic activity. Statistically significant differences in the three-dimensional acceleration and the autonomic activities were observed among the three horses. The acceleration in the Kiso horse group during walking in hand was significantly different from those involving the other two horses, indicating that the vibrations produced by these horses might modify the autonomic activities. Conclusions: The most important beneficial factor of horseback riding for children and for human health appears to be associated with the horse's vibrations, which may differ among horses. Riding some horses may improve the ability of children to respond with an appropriate action depending on the situation (Go reaction) or use self-control appropriately (No-go reaction), possibly through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Publication Date: 2017-02-06 PubMed ID: 28220146PubMed Central: PMC5292768DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00008Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the effect of horseback riding on the cognitive abilities of children, particularly their ability to make quick decisions (Go/No-go tasks) and solve arithmetic problems. The study proposes that the physical vibrations experienced during riding might stimulate the nervous system in ways that improve these mental capabilities.
Methodology
- The participants in the study were a total of 106 children of both sexes, aged between 10 to 12 years old. The children were divided into three groups for the study: those who would go horse riding, those who would go walking, and those who would be resting.
- The children then performed cognitive tasks that demand quick decision-making referred to as “Go/No-go tasks”, as well as solving arithmetic problems to test their cognitive abilities before and after the activities.
- The researchers also tracked the children’s heart rates and 3-dimensional acceleration (movement) while they were performing these tasks, to ascertain any physiological changes.
Results
- The study revealed that the children who had gone horseback riding were better at performing the Go/No-go tasks and solving arithmetic problems compared to the other groups.
- The nature of the horse breed influenced the children’s performance. For instance, children riding certain horses such as the Kiso experienced a calming effect, potentially due to increased parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system activity.
- Significant differences were recorded in the three-dimensional acceleration and autonomic (involuntary) activities among the different horses ridden.
- The children’s responses while walking the horse indicated that the unique vibrations generated by each horse could affect nervous system activity.
Conclusions
- Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the vibrations generated by the horses during riding could be a crucial factor contributing to the observed cognitive benefits in children.
- The type of horse ridden could influence these benefits, as different horses create different vibrations which affect the children’s nervous system in distinct ways.
- Consequently, riding certain horses could enhance a child’s cognitive response, either in quick decision-making or self-control through activation of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system.
Cite This Article
APA
Ohtani N, Kitagawa K, Mikami K, Kitawaki K, Akiyama J, Fuchikami M, Uchiyama H, Ohta M.
(2017).
Horseback Riding Improves the Ability to Cause the Appropriate Action (Go Reaction) and the Appropriate Self-control (No-Go Reaction) in Children.
Front Public Health, 5, 8.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine , Chuo-ku, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine , Chuo-ku, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine , Chuo-ku, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine , Chuo-ku, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa, Japan; Faculty of Animal Health Technology, Yamazaki Gakuen University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.
- Laboratory of Animal Facilitated Therapy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture , Atsugi, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Animal Facilitated Therapy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture , Atsugi, Kanagawa , Japan.
- Laboratory of Effective Animals for Human Health, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa, Japan; Laboratory of Animal Facilitated Therapy, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Malchrowicz-Mośko E, Wieliński D, Adamczewska K. Perceived Benefits for Mental and Physical Health and Barriers to Horseback Riding Participation. The Analysis among Professional and Amateur Athletes.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 May 25;17(10).
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