title: Parameters of the center of pressure displacement on the saddle during hippotherapy on different surfaces.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hippotherapy uses horseback riding movements for therapeutic purposes. In addition to the horse's movement, the choice of equipment and types of floor are also useful in the intervention. The quantification of dynamic parameters that define the interaction of the surface of contact between horse and rider provides insight into how the type of floor surface variations act upon the subject's postural control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test whether different types of surfaces promote changes in the amplitude (ACOP) and velocity (VCOP) of the center of pressure (COP) displacement during the rider's contact with the saddle on the horse's back.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty two healthy adult male subjects with experience in riding were evaluated. The penetration resistances of asphalt, sand and grass surfaces were measured. The COP data were collected on the three surfaces using a pressure measurement mat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ACOP values were higher in sand, followed by grass and asphalt, with significant differences between sand and asphalt (anteroposterior, p=0.042; mediolateral, p=0.019). The ACOP and VCOP values were higher in the anteroposterior than in the mediolateral direction on all surfaces (ACOP, p=0.001; VCOP, p=0.006). The VCOP did not differ between the surfaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postural control, measured by the COP displacement, undergoes variations in its amplitude as a result of the type of floor surface. Therefore, these results reinforce the importance of the choice of floor surface when defining the strategy to be used during hippotherapy intervention.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiana M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.affiliation: Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frederico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dagnese
authors.affiliation: Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Copetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D004856:Postural Balance; D011312:Pressure