Citation

Kang KY. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 2015; 27(8): 2499-2500.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, Wonkwang Health Science University, Republic of Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Society of Physical Therapy Science)

DOI

10.1589/jpts.27.2499

PMID

26355558

PMCID

PMC4563299

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mechanical horseback riding exercise on the balance ability of the elderly. [Subjects and Methods] Ten elderly patients were assigned to an experimental group, and they performed 15 min of horseback riding. Another 10 elderly patients were assigned to a control group, and they performed 15 min of one-leg standing exercise. Both exercises were repeated five times a week for a total of six weeks. The participants' balance ability was evaluated. [Results] The horseback-riding group showed significant differences between the pre-and post-test balance abilities as assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. [Conclusion] Horseback riding effectively improves the balance ability of the elderly. Horseback riding should be considered as a therapeutic method for the physical therapy of the elderly.

Language: en