Title
A Mounted Strengthening and Stretching Program to Prevent Musculoskeletal Injury In Equestrians
Advisor
Audette, Jennifer [faculty advisor, Clinical Physical Therapy]
Date
5-2009
Keywords
equestrian; physical therapy; muscles; exercise
Abstract
Equestrian sports use muscles uncommon to most normal daily activities. In beginning or returning riders this can lead to muscle strain and pain, and if not addressed, even to serious injury. This program is designed to stretch and strengthen the main muscle groups used in horseback riding: quadriceps, hamstrings, abdominals and obliques, and the lower back. The program is designed to be carried out during fifteen minutes of an hour-long riding lesson to prevent undue discomfort or injury. The counsel of a professional horseback riding instructor and a physical therapist was integrated with exercises from physical therapy resources. Proven stretching and strengthening techniques typically done in standing, sitting, or supine positions were adapted to exercises that can be done while mounted on a horse. Videos were filmed of the traditional and adapted exercised, to show the similarities and differences between the two.
Gym Cradle
Reach.mpeg (2775 kB)
Gym Reach
Sphinx.mpeg (5508 kB)
Gym Sphinx
Twist.mpeg (3122 kB)
Gym Twist
Cradle.mpeg (7784 kB)
Horse Cradle
Scissors.mpeg (5960 kB)
Horse Scissors
Sit and Reach.mpeg (10078 kB)
Horse Sit and Reach
Twist.mpeg (5539 kB)
Horse Twist