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Core Muscle Recruitment during Horseback Riding: A Pilot Study
Jacob J Miller1,2, Aarabhi Gurumoorthy3
1Rocky Mountain Orthopedics Clinic, Intermountain Health, Fruita, Colorado.
Core muscles activate during horseback riding, with activity increasing with gait speed. This finding supports horseback riding for athletic training and rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Horseback riding is a popular global activity.
- Core muscle strengthening is often recommended for riders, but muscle activation during riding gaits is not well understood.
- This study investigated core muscle activation during horseback riding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the activation of key core muscles during various horseback riding gaits.
- To compare muscle activation during riding with ground exercises.
- To understand the relationship between riding speed and core muscle engagement.
Main Methods:
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) measured activation in the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, and rectus abdominis.
- Nine rodeo club members participated, performing ground exercises for maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) baseline.
- Subjects rode at walk, trot, and lope (canter) gaits, with muscle activation compared to MVC.
Main Results:
- All tested core muscles demonstrated activity during horseback riding.
- The rectus abdominis exhibited the highest level of activation.
- A positive correlation was observed between riding gait speed and the percentage of maximal voluntary contraction in all core muscles.
Conclusions:
- Core musculature plays a significant role in horseback riding.
- Increased riding gait speed leads to greater core muscle activation.
- Findings can inform riding rehabilitation protocols and highlight benefits for athletic training and hippotherapy.
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