• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.559-565
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• 2013

This study examined the effect of therapeutic horseback riding in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Participants were placed in a therapeutic riding (TR) group (n=7) or physical therapy (PT) group (n=7). This study was then conducted for 30 minutes, twice a week, for 8 weeks. The gross motor function measure (GMFM), range of motion (ROM), and spasticity test (ST) were analyzed pre-test (TR0 and PT0), mid-test (TR1 and PT1), and post-test (TR2 and PT2). We used the SPSS 12.0 statistical software for data analysis. We observed significant changes in GMFM Dimension C (crawling and kneeling), D (standing), and E (walking, running, and jumping) between TR2 and TR0 (P < 0.05). In the control group, GMFM Dimension B (sitting) and E showed significant changes between PT2 compared to PT0 (P < 0.05). In future studies we will consider using a therapeutic riding program for the treatment of children with disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.290-295
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of robo-horseback riding with changes of pelvic tilting and speeds on muscle activities of trunk and lower limb in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty healthy adults were recruited for this study. Subjects performed robo-horseback riding at three pelvic postures (anterior tilting pelvic posture: AP, neutral pelvic posture: NP, posterior pelvic posture: PP) and different speeds (moderate and fast speed). Muscle activities were recorded from the trunk muscles (rectus abdominis [RA], T2 paraspinalis [T2 PS], L2 paraspinalis [L2 PS]) and lower limb muscles (rectus femoris [RF], vastus medialis [VM], vastus lateralis [VL], biceps femoris [BF], gastrucnemius [GCM]). Results: Significantly higher RA activities were observed under the PP condition than under the AP and NP conditions at both speeds. Significantly higher L2 PS activities were observed under the AP condition than under the PP and NP conditions at both speeds. Significantly higher T2 PS activities were observed under the AP condition than under the PP and NP conditions at fast speed. However, the muscle activities of the VM and GCM did not show significant changes with changes in pelvic posture at both speeds. All muscle activities were significantly higher under the fast speed than under the moderate speed in three pelvic postures. Conclusion: There were significant differences in the changes of pelvic tilting on muscle activities of trunk and lower limb were observed in healthy adults. NP condition can be introduced the most efficienct posture for muscle activities of trunk and lower limb in robo-horseback riding.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a horse riding program on balancing ability in children with cerebral palsy. Eleven children (five males and six females) diagnosed with cerebral palsy participated. The horse riding exercises (walking and trotting) were conducted twice per week for 30 minutes during 24 weeks. Balancing ability was measured three times at pre, mid, and post-test using an air pad by the same physical therapist. The data were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of covariance with time (0, 12, and 24 weeks) using SPSS version 18.0. A comparison of horse riding between patients with hemiplegia and paraplegia was conducted with the Willcoxon signed-ranktest at a predetermined probability rate of 5%. The results showed a significant increase in balancing ability after horse riding than that before horse riding (p<0.01). The average balancing score increased greater in males ($54.59{\pm}84.05$) than that in females ($27.84{\pm}12.67$) after the horse riding exercise program compared to that before the program (p < 0.05). Thus, horse riding exercise was considered an effective to improve balance in children with cerebral palsy. These results provide useful basic data for horse riding for the disabled.