Outdoor Horseback Riding and Its Effects on Muscle Strength, Balance, Sleep, and Movement

Lower Extremity Muscle Strength

Lower extremity muscle strength assessments will be performed using a digital hand-held dynamometer. The force parameters were recorded in kilograms. Isometric muscle strength measurements will be carried out for the following muscle groups: Hip: Flexion, Extension, Abduction, and Adduction Knee: Flexion and Extension Ankle: Plantar flexion, Dorsiflexion For each muscle group, participants will be instructed to maintain maximum isometric muscle contractions that reach equilibrium against the counterforce applied by the researcher, while sustaining the test positions for approximately 3 seconds. Each movement will be performed three times, and the average of these three trials will be considered for evaluation. To minimize fatigue, a rest period of 30-60 seconds will be given between repetitions and 2 minutes between different tests.

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Core Stabilization (Assessed using the plank test)

Participants will be asked to rise by supporting themselves on their elbows and hands, positioned at shoulder level on the mat, while also maintaining support on their toes. During the test, it will be expected that the spine and pelvis remain in a neutral position and that normal breathing is sustained. Participants will be required to maintain this position without descending to the mat, without experiencing pain, and without deviating more than 5 cm in their back, for up to a maximum of 3 minutes. The stopwatch will be started with the command "Start!" and stopped when one of the predetermined termination criteria occurs. The duration will be recorded in seconds, rounded to the nearest whole second.

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Functional Movement Screen

FMS consists of seven test component which are used to evaluate various main movement models.Individuals completed one by one deep squat, high stepping, single line lunge, shoulder mobility, straight leg raises, trunk stability push-ups, rotation stability which are component tests. Subcomponent tests assess asymmetry by measuring the individual bilaterally. Each component test was scored on an ordinal scale (0 to 3 points), with a maximum score of 3, based on the quality of the movement. Less than 3 points indicated that the individual performed some form of compensation or was unable to complete the entire movement.. The scores of the component tests were summed, resulting in a composite score between 0 and 21 points, with a maximum score of 21

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Y-Balance Test Score

YBT, which is performed in the standing position on one leg , is dynamic a test. Participants stood on the footplate in the centre of the Y Balance Test area and then, it was given instruction them that they should maintain a single leg stance while reaching as far as possible with the opposite leg and return to the starting position on the centre platform without losing balance.In the test, individuals were asked to reach the maximum distance in 3 directions (anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral), allowing 3 trials for each leg. The maximum reach distance was recorded for each consecutive trial

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT)

MFRT is a seated version of the original standing test and assesses the limits of balance. The participant sits on a chair with the hips, knees, and ankles flexed at 90 degrees, with the soles of the feet fully in contact with the floor. A horizontal ruler is mounted on the wall at the level of the acromion of the unaffected arm. The starting measurement is taken at the level of the fifth finger when the arm is extended forward at 90 degrees of flexion. The test is performed in three different positions, each consisting of three trials: 1. Reaching forward with the unaffected side facing the wall. 2. Bending to the right with the back against the wall. 3. Bending to the left with the back against the wall. Participants are asked to reach the maximum distance without rotating or touching the wall. After reaching, the position of the fifth finger is marked again, and the distance is measured in centimeters.

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) contains 19 self-rated questions which measures seven aspects of sleep: (1) subjective sleep quality, (2) sleep latency, (3) sleep duration, (4) habitual sleep efficiency, (5) sleep disturbances, (6) use of sleeping medication, and (7) daytime dysfunction. The 19 self-rated items are combined to form seven component scores, each of which has a range of 0-3 points (0 indicates no difficulty, while 3 indicates severe difficulty). The seven component scores are then summed to yield one global score, with a range of 0-21 points (0 indicating no difficulty, and 21 indicating severe difficulties in all the seven areas of sleep quality).

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) consists of 21 self-reported items (four-point scale ranging from 0 to 3. p.) used to assess the intensity of physical and cognitive anxiety symptoms during the past week. Scores may range from 0 to 63: minimal anxiety levels (0-7), mild anxiety (8-15), moderate anxiety (16-25), and severe anxiety (26-63).

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)

Short Form 36 (SF-36)

Short Form 36 (SF-36) is a generic self-reported outcome measure that quantifies the quality of life in relation to health status. It is a 36-item valid and reliable evaluation with eight areas covering physical functioning, role limitations brought on by physical issues, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations brought on by emotional issues, and perceived mental health. The SF-36 also contains a single question called "health transition" that measures how respondents feel their over health status has changed over the course of a year. The scores range from 0-100 (the worst possible to the most possible)

Time frame: Single assessment during study visit (1 day)