Quantification of standing balance in horse riders

1. Quantification of standing balance in horse riders S.J. Hobbs1, V.L. Broom1, J. Baxter1, L.-A. Dagg2, J. Alexander1 1. University of Central Lancashire, Centre for Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, Preston, UK. 2. Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, UK. Materials and method: Thirty one right handed riders age 36 ± 12 yrs, height 168 ± 6 cm, weight 68 ± 12 kg attending rider camps participated in measurements of standing balance, single leg static balance and a single leg reaching test. Leg length was measured prior to testing. Centre of pressure excursion (COP) was recorded for 20 s at 50 Hz during each test using an RS Scan pressure mat. Symmetry was assessed for each variable by comparing right (R) to left (L): Symmetry = R – L. MANCOVA was used to test for significant (P<0.05) differences in balance for years riding, dressage level and previous injuries. Pearson correlations were used to investigate relationships between balance variables and covariates. Aim: To seek adaptations in balance due to riding Standing Balance Unipedal support Participants stood on one leg, with their hands on hips and looking forward. COP excursions for each leg in A-P and M-L directions compared. Bipedal support Participants stood on the mat in their normal posture. Percentage of body weight on each limb was recorded. Anteroposterior (A-P) direction b a Figure 3: Left (a) and right (b) leg standing balance. White line: COP excursion; red cross: current position. Mediolateral (M-L) direction Figure 1: Example of asymmetric weight bearing during standing. The boxes to left and right of screen show the % force on each foot. Significant (P<.05) relationship between M-L COP excursion symmetry and years riding was found for the group (r=-.433). No significant asymmetries in weight bearing (P>.05) were found for the group. Figure 4: M-L COP excursion symmetry against years riding. Figure 2: Mean (SD) weight bearing for the group Reaching Balance Modified star excursion balance test (SEBT)1 Participants stood on one leg and reached with their free leg in anterior, posterior, lateral and medial directions with their hands on hips. Reach distance in each direction was measured. Differences in COP excursion, reach distance (as a ratio of leg length) and a ratio of COP excursion to reach distance between right and left legs in each direction were calculated. Significant (P<.05) relationship found between M-L COP excursion to reach distance symmetry and years riding for the group (r=.395). Figure 7: M-L COP excursion to reach distance ratio with years riding. The leg identified is the standing leg. A lower ratio denotes a better performance i.e. less COP excursion / greater reach distance. Figure 5: Subject performing the star balance excursion test. Figure 6: Star balance test with increased COP excursion for a reaching test. Results to date suggest that riding may influence standing and reaching balance due to posture and balance requirements during riding. Hip and knee flexion are required for sitting, posting and jumping riding postures and hip and knee flexion have been found to account for 95% of the variance in reach distance in the SEBT2. Core stability and balance training were reported to improve static and dynamic balance in active individuals3 and athletes4, and as core stability and balance are required for riding, improvements in balance may also be achieved due to riding. Additional data from dressage camps in the UK and from the McPhail Equine Performance Center in the USA will aid us in confirming these findings. Conclusions and further work Demura, S. and Yamada, T. (2010). Proposal for a practical SEBT using three trials with four directions. Sport Sci. Health. 1, 1-8. Robinson, R. and gribble, P. (2008). Kinematic predictors of performance on the SEBT. J. Sport Rehab. 17, 347-357. Aggarwal, A. et al. (2010). Comparing stabilization training with balance training in recreationally active individuals. Int. J. Therapy and Rehab. 17, 5, 244-253. Filipa, A. et al. (2010). Neuromuscular training improves performance on the SEBT in young female athletes. J. Ortho. and Sports Therapy. 40, 9, 551-558.