Balance performance among horseback-rider compared to non-horseback-rider women in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Horseback riding requires adapting to constant changes in balance conditions, maintaining equilibrium on the horse, and preventing falls. However, differences in balance performance among horseback riders and non-rider-healthy young women in Saudi Arabia have not been explored. This study investigat...

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Published inMedicine (Baltimore) Vol. 103; no. 21; p. e38291
Main Author Albishi, Alaa M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 24.05.2024
Subjects
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data
Adult
Animals
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Horses
Humans
Postural Balance - physiology
Saudi Arabia
Young Adult
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
Women
Sport
Horseback riding
Balance
Equestrian athlete
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Summary:Horseback riding requires adapting to constant changes in balance conditions, maintaining equilibrium on the horse, and preventing falls. However, differences in balance performance among horseback riders and non-rider-healthy young women in Saudi Arabia have not been explored. This study investigates whether horseback-rider women would perform better on static and dynamic balance tests than non-rider women. Also, the study examined the effect of years of horseback riding on balance performance in the rider group. Twenty healthy young females participated in the study using a convenience sampling method. Ten were riders, and ten were non-riders. Static and dynamic balance tests, including the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG), and unipedal stance test (UPST), was obtained from all subjects. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare balance performance between the horseback riders and non-riders groups. The horseback-rider group had statistically significantly higher scores on both the static and dynamic tests than non-riders: BBS test (Z = −2.537, P = .011), TUG (t = −3.889, P = .001), and unipedal stance test with the eyes open and closed (t = 14.048, t = 13.639, P = .000). Our rider sample did not show a statistically significant correlation between years of riding and balance scores. The horseback riders have greater static and dynamic balance abilities than non-riders. Further study is needed to compare the balance performance between experienced riders versus beginners among healthy adults in Saudi Arabia.
Bibliography:Received: 15 December 2023 / Received in final form: 16 March 2024 / Accepted: 26 April 2024 The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose. The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University (no. E-20-4727). How to cite this article: Albishi AM. Balance performance among horseback-rider compared to non-horseback-rider women in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Medicine 2024;103:21(e38291). The statements and opinions expressed in Medicine® are those of the individual contributors, editors, or advertisers, as indicated, and do not necessarily represent the views of the other editors or the publisher. Unless otherwise specified, the authors and publisher disclaim any responsibility or liability for such material. *Correspondence: Alaa M. Albishi, Department of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia (e-mail: aalbeshi@ksu.edu.sa)
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ISSN:0025-7974
1536-5964
1536-5964
DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000038291