The effects of horse riding simulation exercise with blindfolding on healthy subjects’ balance and gait

Abstract

[Purpose] The study was conducted to determine the effect of horse riding simulation combined with blindfolding on healthy individuals’ balance and gait. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The subjects in the experimental group covered their eyes using a blindfold, climbed onto a horse riding simulator, and performed the horse riding simulation exercise. The control group took part in the horse riding exercises without a blindfold. All of the subjects performed the 20 minutes long exercise once a day, five times a week, over a four-week period. [Results] The experimental group showed significant improvement in static balance, dynamic balance, velocity, and cadence compared to pre-intervention measurements. In addition, the control group showed significant improvement in static balance, dynamic balance, single support, and cadence compared to pre-intervention measurements. Significant differences in post-training gains in static balance, dynamic balance, and cadence were observed between the experimental group and the control group. [Conclusion] Subjects that performed horse riding simulation exercise after blindfolding showed significant improvements in balance and cadence compared to the control group.

Different Types of Visual Perturbation Induced Different Demands and Patterns in Active Control: Implication for Future Sensorimotor Training

“…Therefore, the purpose of this visual-reduced training could train both feedback and feed-forward capabilities simultaneously to handle an unknown environment, such as walking with malfunctioned otoliths under low-gravity. This blindfolded sensorimotor training has been approved to enhance the balance and locomotor control in healthy young adults ( Cha et al, 2016 ; Lin et al, 2021 ), in patients with Parkinson’s Disease ( Tramontano et al, 2016 ; Bonnì et al, 2019 ), and in patients with unilateral lower-limb amputees ( Vrieling et al, 2008 ). In the current study, we suggest this reduced visual capability sensorimotor training most to future astronauts; it costs less (only required a treadmill and a goggle with car tinting vinyl) and had the strongest impact among other visual manipulations in the current study.…”

Effectiveness of Mechanical Horse-Riding Simulators on Postural Balance in Neurological Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Abnormal input of sensory information greatly influences postural oscillation and muscle activity, interfering with treatment interventions, causing disability in activities of daily living and difficulty in achieving independent individual performance [40,44]. Making a global consideration about the postural balance deficit management, there is evidence of the use of HRS in different population groups, such as in young people [33], chronic low-back pain [31] and elderly [25,35], such as stated in the introduction section. These results could not be extrapolated to our study population since they present different clinical characteristics.…”

“…Although, in favor of the HRS, it generates between 50 and 100 three-dimensional physical movements (forward and back, left and right, up and down) [32]. Some examples of HRS devices are JOBA [32], OSIM uGallop, Taiwan [30], Fortis [33], S-RIDER Shinwha Electron [34], Honjin, Korea [25], and Model H-702 [35], HJLCo. Ltd., Seoul Korea [31].…”

“…Ltd., Seoul Korea [31]. HRS have been used to produce benefits on chronic low-back pain (improvements in pain, trunk strength, muscle mass, and balance) [31]; on activation of trunk and thigh muscles, improved postural control, and balance in older adults [33], as well as in ambulation, prevention of fall risk, and improvement of dynamic stability [25,35]; on balance and gait cadence in healthy subjects [32]. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, there is only a clinical trial comparing the effect of the hippotherapy versus the HRS in neurological rehabilitation [30].…”

Short- and Mid-Term Improvement of Postural Balance after a Neurorehabilitation Program via Hippotherapy in Patients with Sensorimotor Impairment after Cerebral Palsy: A Preliminary Kinetic Approach

“…The horse simulator has been used as useful complement for hippotherapy in posture and gait rehabilitation [21,23,24,25,26,27,28]. It allows to overcome the variability of a hippotherapy session for scientific purposes, i.e., horse start and stop, irregular pace depending on environment and stimuli, intersession variability.…”