Modern equestrian jumping competitions require that horse and rider complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps. The aim is always to jump the course in the designed sequence with no mistakes, in a faster manner. If any part of an obstacle is knocked down or if the horse refuses a jump, penalties are accumulated. This performance requires high level of attention and good balance of autonomic nervous system as well as a good sympathetic control of posture between horse and rider.To prevent chocking under pressure it is important to investigate the psychophysiological profile during practice and competition, and to implement a bio-neurofeedback training to improve the coping ability and awareness of riders. To investigate a rider’s profile we run a preliminary study were we monitored the physiological responses (PR) and body acceleration (BA) during practice, associated with different stages of performance, in a young male rider (17 years old). PR and BA were measured through the ADInstruments BioHarness Telemetry System. Specifically, indicative ECG Trace, Heart Rate (HR), Breathing Rate (BR), Depth of Breath, Skin Temperature (ST), Posture, and Activity data were collected. These recorded biopotentials were then analyzed using LabChart (ADIntruments) and Kubios software (Kuopio, Finland). Peak analysis was conducted for HR, BR, ST, and posture, during different stages of performance. Moreover, we examined HRV related to different stages of performance (galloping, jumping and trotting or stepping). Results demonstrated specific psychophysiological profile and autonomic response for each stage of performance and for each type of obstacle.
Psychophysiological monitoring of a young rider during horse jumping practice
BERTOLLO, MAURIZIO;BORTOLI, Laura;ROBAZZA, Claudio
2011-01-01
Abstract
Modern equestrian jumping competitions require that horse and rider complete a course of 10 to 13 jumps. The aim is always to jump the course in the designed sequence with no mistakes, in a faster manner. If any part of an obstacle is knocked down or if the horse refuses a jump, penalties are accumulated. This performance requires high level of attention and good balance of autonomic nervous system as well as a good sympathetic control of posture between horse and rider.To prevent chocking under pressure it is important to investigate the psychophysiological profile during practice and competition, and to implement a bio-neurofeedback training to improve the coping ability and awareness of riders. To investigate a rider’s profile we run a preliminary study were we monitored the physiological responses (PR) and body acceleration (BA) during practice, associated with different stages of performance, in a young male rider (17 years old). PR and BA were measured through the ADInstruments BioHarness Telemetry System. Specifically, indicative ECG Trace, Heart Rate (HR), Breathing Rate (BR), Depth of Breath, Skin Temperature (ST), Posture, and Activity data were collected. These recorded biopotentials were then analyzed using LabChart (ADIntruments) and Kubios software (Kuopio, Finland). Peak analysis was conducted for HR, BR, ST, and posture, during different stages of performance. Moreover, we examined HRV related to different stages of performance (galloping, jumping and trotting or stepping). Results demonstrated specific psychophysiological profile and autonomic response for each stage of performance and for each type of obstacle.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
