title: Center-of-pressure movements during equine-assisted activities.
abstract: We compared anteroposterior and mediolateral range of motion and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) on the horse's back between riders without disabilities and riders with cerebral palsy. An electronic pressure mat was used to track COP movements beneath the saddle in 4 riders without disabilities and 4 riders with cerebral palsy. Comparisons between rider groups were made using the Mann-Whitney test (p < .05). The two rider groups differed significantly in anteroposterior range of COP motion, mediolateral range of COP motion, and mediolateral COP velocity. Anteroposterior COP velocity did not differ between groups. The results suggest that measurements of COP range of motion and velocity are potentially useful for monitoring changes in balance as an indicator of core stability during equine-assisted activities.
authors.affiliation: Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. claytonh@cvm.msu.edu
authors.forename: Hilary M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: Leeann J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Pue
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance