Baragli Paolo, Alessi Alberto, Pagliai Marco, Felici Martina, Ogi Asahi, Hawson Lesley, Gazzano Angelo, Padalino Barbara
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Research Center "E. Piaggio", University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Animals (Basel). 2022 Nov 30;12(23):3364. doi: 10.3390/ani12233364.
Riders’ asymmetry may cause back pain in both human and equine athletes. This pilot study aimed at documenting in a simple and quick way asymmetry in riders during a simulation of three different riding positions on wooden horseback using load cells applied on the stirrup leathers and identifying possible associations between riders’ asymmetry and their gender, age, level of riding ability, years of riding experience, riding style, motivation of riding, primary discipline and handedness. After completing an interview to obtain the previously mentioned information, 147 riders performed a standardized test on a saddle fixed on a wooden horseback-shaped model. The riding simulation was split into three phases of 1 min each: (1) sit in the saddle, (2) standing in the stirrups and (3) rising trot. The directional force on the left and the right stirrup leathers was recorded every 0.2 s. A paired t-test was performed on the recorded data to test the difference (i.e., asymmetry) in each phase. In phases 1, 2 and 3, 99.3% (53.4% heavier on the right (R)), 98% (52.8% heavier on the left (L)) and 46.3% (51.5% heavier on the left (L)) of the riders were asymmetrical, respectively. Chi-square tests showed a significant association between riding ability and riding experience, but no significant association between reported handedness and calculated leg-sidedness (p > 0.05). Univariate logistic (1: asymmetry, 0: symmetry) regression analysis was performed only on the phase 3 data. One-hand riders were found twice more likely to be asymmetrical than two-hand riders (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.18, Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1−4.29; p = 0.024). This preliminary study confirmed that the majority of the riders are asymmetrical in load distribution on stirrups and suggested the riding style as a possible risk factor for asymmetry.
骑手的不对称性可能会导致人类和马术运动员出现背痛。这项初步研究旨在通过一种简单快捷的方式，利用安装在马镫皮带上的测力传感器，记录骑手在模拟三种不同骑姿（在木马背上）时的不对称性，并确定骑手的不对称性与其性别、年龄、骑行能力水平、骑行经验年限、骑行风格、骑行动机、主要训练项目和用手习惯之间可能存在的关联。在完成一次访谈以获取上述信息后，147名骑手在固定于木马形状模型上的马鞍上进行了一项标准化测试。骑行模拟分为三个阶段，每个阶段1分钟：（1）坐在马鞍上，（2）站在马镫上，（3）轻快步上升。每隔0.2秒记录一次左右马镫皮带上的定向力。对记录的数据进行配对t检验，以测试每个阶段的差异（即不对称性）。在第1、2和3阶段，分别有99.3%（右侧重53.4%（R））、98%（左侧重52.8%（L））和46.3%（左侧重51.5%（L））的骑手存在不对称性。卡方检验显示骑行能力与骑行经验之间存在显著关联，但报告的用手习惯与计算得出的腿部偏好之间无显著关联（p>0.05）。仅对第3阶段的数据进行了单因素逻辑回归分析（1：不对称，0：对称）。发现单手骑手不对称的可能性是双手骑手的两倍（优势比（OR）：2.18，置信区间（CI）：1.1−4.29；p = 0.024）。这项初步研究证实，大多数骑手在马镫上的负荷分布存在不对称性，并表明骑行风格可能是不对称性的一个风险因素。
