Riding instructors, their musculoskeletal health and working conditions

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of riding instructors' working conditions, work load, and frequency of musculoskeletal problems and to identify potential risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal problems. A questionnaire was mailed to 800 instructors in Sweden containing questions on their work environment, work tasks, work load, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The Borg CR-10 scale was used to estimate the work load, and the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to analyze the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Perceived symptoms were most frequently reported to be in the shoulders (60%), lower back (56%), and neck (52%) during the past 12 months; 91% of the riding instructors had experienced symptoms from at least one of nine anatomical areas during the past 12 months and 55% in the seven days prior to answering the questionnaire. Removal of manure from the stable was considered to be the task involving the heaviest work, and 14.5% had suffered an injury at work during the past year. The risk of developing musculoskeletal problems was 50% less for those who did physical exercise at least two hours a week besides riding (OR = 0.47, CI 0.25-0.89).

The prevalence of symptoms was high, considering the low median age (33 years). Reducing workload, guarding against injury, and performing other exercises besides riding could be important measures for the prevention of musculoskeletal symptoms in this particular group of workers.