• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.19-26
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of correction on posture parameters between a horse riding simulator exercise and a conventional exercise occurring in an open linear chain linking the head to the pelvis in the sagittal plane of young adults with a forward head posture. METHODS: In this study, 30 subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects each, were assigned to the horse riding simulator exercise or the neck exercise group and they performed exercise 30 minutes per each round two times a week for six weeks. To determine the subjects' forward head posture, the three angles and three distances were measured. RESULTS: The forward head angle and head distance results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in both group. The horizontal distance between acromion and tragus results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in neck exercise group (CG), but no significant change in horse riding simulator exercise group (EG). The averages of each measured values of EG and CG before and after were compared, but there are no significant different between groups. CONCLUSION: Although the effects of the horse riding exercise were lower than those elicited by the neck exercise, the results demonstrated that the horse riding simulator exercise improved posture alignment for subjects with forward head posture. Therefore, the horse riding simulator exercise can constitute an appropriate alternative exercise for subjects with forward head posture.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of posture correction & stabilization according to horse rider's(n=10) skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot. First, Mean posture of 3 times experiments; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk showed rather unstable according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase, and also shoulder & elbow angle, which effects to the distance from bit to rein, showed unstable riding posture. There was close relationship between shoulder and elbow Angle in walk and hip, knee & ankle angle in trot. Second, Posture correction & stabilization according to riding skill levels; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk did not show significant difference statistically but showed approaching tendency to trunk's vertical line and showed significant difference(p<.05) according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot horse riding. Hip angle showed significant difference according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase(p<.05) and showed tendency maintaining the larger thigh flexion according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. Knee angle showed more stable posture by maintaining the larger flexion between thigh and shank according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot(p<.05). Ankle angle also showed tendency maintaining the larger plantar flexion of foot according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. When considering the above, regular horse riding program could be useful in posture correction & stabilization according to improvement of skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation on improving the ability to balance posture and proprioception. Thirty healthy adults participated and were randomly assigned to a horse riding simulator group ($n_1$=10), galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) group ($n_2$=10), control group ($n_3$=10). Experiment groups were trained 3 times per week over 6 weeks. The ability to balance posture was measured by force plate and proprioception was measured by Joint position sense. The following results were obtained. the changes of balance index were significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time in 0, 3 and 6 weeks (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. But was not statistically significant. Proprioception was significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. The above results indicated that the 6 weeks horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training demonstrated positive effects in the ability to balance posture and proprioception. These results suggest that the horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training could be therapeutic intervention that can improve balance and postural control.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1000-1009
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• 2013

Well-fitting riding breeches provide a comfortable ride. Horse-riding breeches should fit the lower body with patches located on the inside of hip and knees to prevent tears and slips. This study provides information about the fit of women's breeches using 3D human body scan data wearing commercially available two breeches according to posture. To get information about breeches fit, we measured the angle of waist line, the length, and the area of the breeches fit on four 20's women. This research showed the problem which was down for waist back line in the case of the horseback riding pose. The back waistline of the riding breeches should be raised compared to the front waistline; subsequently, an increased waistline angle results in less back waistline decrease. The breeches have plenty of length from back waist to crotch so the breech fit can be improved. The thigh circumference increased when riding in the front; therefore, good elasticity of the weft direction of the fabric is recommended. The length increase and the peripheral increase of the front knee significantly increased the surface area of the knee; consequently, knee patch material should be a two-way elastic fabric in all directions to enhance comfort according to riding motion.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.63-70
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• 2010

Purpose: In this study, children with cerebral palsy were treated for 8 weeks using horse riding trunk proprioception, stability and posture to investigate the effect of hippotherapy in the field of physical therapy. Methods: A total of 18 subjects were divided into an experimental group treated by horseback riding and a control group. Both groups were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. Trunk proprioception was measured three times in the sitting position with their eyes and ears closed to reach the target position the angle error of the mean was calculated. Trunk stability was measured using a forceplate and the data were used to calculate the postural sway path & postural sway velocity. Posture was evaluated using the Posture Assessment Scale (PAS). Results: After hippotherapy, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in trunk proprioception, stability and posture (p<0.05), but the control group improved in posture only (p<0.05). Trunk proprioception, stability and posture was significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks of hippotherapy is effective in improving trunk proprioception, stability, and posture. Research using this therapy should be studied further as a possible new therapeutic approach in the field of physical therapy.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.161-166
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• 2014

Recently, indoor sports simulator equipped with virtual reality devices, like screen golf system, are riding high. There have been many attempts to develop the indoor simulator systems which can make people enjoy exercises in various sports area. A real horseback riding could not have been popularized, because of the cost involved, difficulty to learn and its dangerousness. In this research, a robotic horseback riding platform based on parallel mechanism and virtual reality device is proposed. The proposed platform provides realistic riding feels and various levels of riding difficulty. The equipped motion capture system with a vision sensor enables riders to correct their riding posture based on expert's one. The developed horseback riding platform make it possible to enjoy a horseback riding in all weather, and also can be used for systematic horseback riding training.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.335-342
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• 2015

Objective : The purposes of this study was to analyze the effects of the stirrup length fitted to the rider's lower limb length and it's impact on less skilled riders during trot in equestrian events. Methods : Participants selected as subjects consisted of less skilled riders(n=5, mean age: $40.02{\pm}10.75yrs$, mean heights: $169.77{\pm}2.08cm$, mean body weights: $67.65{\pm}7.76kg$, lower limb lengths: $97.26{\pm}2.35cm$, mean horse heights: $164.00{\pm}5.74cm$ with 2 type of stirrups lengths(lower limb ratio 74.04%, and 79.18%) during trot. The variables analyzed consisted of the displacement for Y axis and Z axis(head, and center of mass[COM]) with asymmetric index, trunk front-rear angle(consistency index), lower limb joint(Right hip, knee, and ankle), and average vertical forces of horse rider during 1 stride in trot. The 4 camcorder(HDR-HC7/HDV 1080i, Spony Corp, Japan) was used to capture horse riding motion at a rate of 60 frames/sec. Raw data was collected from Kwon3D XP motion analysis package ver 4.0 program(Visol, Korea) during trot. Results : The movements and asymmetric index didn't show significant difference at head and COM, Also, 74.04% stirrups lengths in trunk tilting angle showed significant difference with higher consistency than that of 79.18% stirrups lengths. Hip and knee joint angle showed significant difference with more extended posture than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths during trot. Ankle angle of 79.18% stirrups length showed more plantarflexion than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths. Average vertical force of rider showed significant difference with higher force at 79.18% stirrups lengths than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths during stance phase. Conclusion : When considering the above, 74.04% stirrups length could be effective in impulse reduction with consistent posture in rather less skilled horse riders.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.131-140
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the coordination of the trunk tilting angle and bilateral lower limbs according to the stirrups length during trot in equestrian. Methods : Participants selected as subject were consisted of adult male(n=7, mean age: $45.00{\pm}3.78yrs$, mean height: $172.50{\pm}2.44cm$, mean body mass: $76.95{\pm}4.40kg$, mean, mean leg length: $97.30{\pm}2.60cm$). They were divided into 3-types of stirrups lengths(67 cm, 72 cm, 77 cm) during trot. The variables analyzed were consisted of the trunk front-rear angle, lower limb joint(Right Left hip, knee, ankle), overall movement index(OMI) of the lower limbs(thigh, shank, foot) and asymmetry index(AI%) during trot. Results : The average angle in hip and knee joint showed more extended posture according to the increase of stirrups lengths and ankle angle showed more plantarflexion posture according to increase of stirrups length during 1 stride in trot. Also, average angle showed more extended posture in right hip and ankle joint than that of left. The angle of knee joint didn't show significant difference statistically between right and left. Also asymmetric index in average angle of hip, knee and ankle joint didn't show significant difference statistically in between lower limbs, but hip joint showed higher asymmetric index in stirrup length of 77 cm and ankle joint showed higher asymmetric index in stirrup length of 67 cm than that of the others respectively. The FR angle in trunk of horse-rider showed relative backward leaning motions at stirrup length of 67 cm and 77 cm than that of stirrup length of 72 cm during stance and swing phase. OMI in thigh, shank, and foot limbs didn't show significant difference statistically according to the stirrups length of right and left lower limbs, but left lower limbs showed higher index than that of right lower limb. Stirrup length of 72 cm in shank and foot limbs showed higher index than that of stirrup length of 67 cm and 77 cm. But stirrup length of 72 cm showed higher asymmetric index than that of stirrups length of 67 cm and 77 cm. Conclusions : When considering the above, 72 cm(ratio of lower limb 74.04%) stirrup lengths could be useful in posture correction and stabilization than 67cm(ratio of lower limb 68.69%) and 77 cm(ratio of lower limb 79.18%) stirrup lengths during trot in horse back riding.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.467-479
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to present the quantitative data which riders can utilize teaching field by comparison analysis of kinematics according to skill level of rider during 2 strides rising trot with the JeJu's-Horse. Participated subjects was consisted of total 10 riders(unskilled: n=5, skilled: n=5). The method of experiment & analysis was based on 3D cinematography. Variables were consisted of temporal, linear & angular kinematics by each event & phase. The skilled assigned more ratio of elapsed time in air than support phase, had the less range of motion in up-down direction and more consistent velocity in lateral & forward direction and performed periodic up-down movement with alignment in vertical direction according to elapsing of phases. The skilled more flexed at elbow and extended backwardly according to elapsing of phases, while more flexed forwardly at hip & knee and plantarflexion at ankle. The skilled postured backward extension but the unskilled do forward flexion. That is, It was considered that the unskilled continued more unstable posture than the skilled during 2 strides in rising trot.