The aim of this study was to identify the potential skeletal markers caused by horseriding and explore, through the use of a survey, whether riders experience pain in locations where markers develop. 173 participants, all of whom are self-identified horse-riders ages 18+, volunteered to participate in the survey, including 149 females and 24 males. A literature search was used to identify and explore skeletal markers attributed to horse-riders in previous research. The survey then asked participants questions based on riding experience and frequency as well as idiopathic and traumatic pain to ascertain whether any commonalities existed in locations where skeletal markers are known to develop and, what factors effect this. Descriptive and statistical statistics were used to draw conclusions. Chi-squared tests demonstrated a significant difference in how frequently participants ride and whether they have had to seek medical assistance for traumatic injuries (X2 = 4.147E-07 (df=6) p=0.05). Additionally to this, multiple goodness of fit tests demonstrated significant differences in how frequently participants ride and the presence of idiopathic pain in regions of skeletal marker development. This study concludes there are skeletal markers that have been attributed to horse-riders, however it cannot determine whether pain in locations of skeletal markers is significant or whether such pain predisposes horseriders to the development of such markers.
PLEASE NOTE: You must be a member of the University of Lincoln to be able to view this dissertation. Please log in here.