Research project
within the Industrial Doctoral School at Umeå University.
Injury patterns from the Equestrian world are mainly described from traumatic injury events such as falls from horses, but there is reason to believe that cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) exist, e.g. to the knee or lumbar spine, and also could be a part of the Equestrian riders' sports career. This research project aims to investigate the occurrence of CTD and its risk factors in elite riders representing the three Olympic disciplines.
Project overview
Project period:
Start date: 2021-01-01
Project description
Equestrian sport is one of the biggest sports in Sweden and the only Olympic sport where women and men compete on equal terms. Equestrian sport is practiced by riders of all ages and at different levels, from amateurs to the top-level equestrian riders of the world. Equestrian sport is practiced in ten different disciplines, the three largest of which are also Olympic disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and eventing.
Equestrian sport is a challenging duality between rider and horse, requiring a relationship to become an equipage. In equestrian science, the rider's balance, body control, and symmetry are considered crucial for the cooperation of the rider and horse to be in harmony. Today, the current knowledge regarding sport-related injuries in equestrian riders is mainly dominated by traumatic injuries and their statistics. The knowledge about cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) of the Equestrian rider is scarce.
The overall aim of this research project is to explore CTD in elite riders representing the Olympic disciplines; show jumping, dressage, and eventing. This by mapping the occurrence of CTD and its commonly associated risk factors. In addition, Equestrians' attitudes and knowledge about pain, injury, and rehabilitation will be explored among riders and trainers.
The Swedish Equestrian Federation has a mission to develop sustainable riders to fulfill their vision of “Equestrian sport, throughout life”. This project is expected to increase knowledge and provide insights that can form the basis for further development of activities, and leadership training and contribute to preventing the occurrence of overuse-related problems among Equestrian riders.
