title: The effects of horseback riding on body mass index and gait in obese women.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effect of horseback riding on body mass index (BMI) and gait in obese women. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four obese women residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do were randomly divided into a horseback riding group and a walking group and conducted their respective exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. [Results] Step length increased significantly and BMI and width of the base of support significantly decreased in both groups. A comparison of BMI and width of the base of support after the intervention between the two groups revealed that the horseback riding group showed larger decreases than the walking group. [Conclusion] The result of this study indicated that the horseback riding may improve gait ability and obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chae-Woo
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Gil
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Wook
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: An
keywords: Body mass index; Horseback riding; Obesity