Rider Lecture 1

Question 1

Physical demand for the rider

Answer 1

The use of exercise to improve flexibility, core strength, stamina, and speed of reaction, in addition to riding, will support optimal performance

Forces are transmitted from the horse to the rider and the rider needs to move their body and adjust their posture to accommodate the movements of the horse

Effective control of the centre of mass is essential to maintain correct posture and balance

The walk is not thought to produce any conditioning effects, while trot and canter can be classified as moderately to highly demanding, depending on additional factors such as the ridersʼ level of fitness, ability, and characteristics of the horse

Question 2

Physiological performance assessment

Answer 2

Cardio-respiratory fitness
Heart rate, blood lactate, fitness

Question 3

Human movement assessment

Answer 3

Rider position/posture
Photography, accelerometry

Muscle recruitment
Electromyography

Muscle strength/endurance
Strength testing

Question 4

Horse-rider interaction assessment

Answer 4

Rein tension
Rein tension device

Forces between rider and saddle
Saddle pressure

Question 5

Anthropometrics assessment

Answer 5

Body composition
Body fat %, BMI

Flexibility
Flexometer

Question 6

What is core stability

Answer 6

the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis and leg to allow optimum production, transfer, and control of force and motion to the terminal segment in integrated athletic activities.

Question 7

What is included in the core

Answer 7

centre of the body and it functions to stabilize the trunk while the arms and legs move during functional movements

Muscles that stabilize the hips

System of muscles that make up the torso (front, sides, and back of the body)

Muscles that stabilize the shoulders

Question 8

What is the transversus abdominis

Answer 8

deepest muscle layer. Stabilise the trunk and maintain internal abdominal pressure

Question 9

What is the rectus abdominis

Answer 9

between ribs and pubis at the front of the pelvis. Six Pack, move the body between the ribcage and the pelvis

Question 10

What is the external oblique muscles

Answer 10

on each side of the rectus abdominis. Allows the trunk to twist to the opposite side of which one is contracting (right muscle - left side of the body)

Question 11

What is the internal oblique muscles

Answer 11

flank the rectus abdominis inside the hipbones. Operate in the opposite way to the external oblique muscles, turning to the left with the left internal oblique muscle and right external oblique muscle