Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Within the classic equestrian sport, the tradition says that the riders take good care of their horse- but sometimes neglects their own physical health. Studies have shown that general physical training improves the riding skills by increasing the rider’s coordination and level of concentration. However, additional physical training is seldom included in the rider´s training program. Thus, it is likely that students of equine studies and riders at a corresponding riding level perform limited cardiorespiratory fitness training. A specific exercise program could improve the rider’s cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as their ability to influence the horse during riding. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if a specific exercise program improves the cardiorespiratory capacity in a group of students of equine studies and if the students ranking of their cardiorespiratory fitness and riding capacity changes during the study period.
The study aimed to answer the following questions: were there any measurable differences between a group of students of equine studies who has followed a cardiorespiratory fitness program compared to a control group, with focus on cardiorespiratory capacity and perceived physical improvement and riding skills?
Fifteen students at the equine studies program enrolled in the study (nine in training group, six in control group). To assess the students´ cardiorespiratory capacity, all students did a coopers-test before and after the four-week long study period. In connection with the cooper-test all students answered a questionnaire, focusing on the students´ perception of their riding skills and cardiorespiratory capacity, as well as information on their daily physical training.
The results are based on eight students (five in test group, three in control group) and the only significant differences were in the age of the students (test group 22,3 ± 1,8 and control group 27,3 ± 2,9 years) and in their perception of changes in cardiorespiratory fitness after the study period (test group 1,4±2.6, control group 6,8±1,3). However, there was no significant difference between the students ranking of their cardiorespiratory capacity- just in their perception of improvement.
In conclusion, the study shows that the specific exercise program did not result in a significant difference in cardiorespiratory capacity between the control group and the test group, although the students in the training group experienced a more positive change in their cardiorespiratory fitness compared to the control group. The results should be interpret with caution since the results are based on a very small material. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.