Athletic Abilities of Riders

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Riding is an aerobic exercise because horse riders have the similar respiratory capacity compared to soccer player.” 

​

• Sung BJ, Jeon SY, Lim SR, Lee KE, Jee H. Equestrian expertise affecting physical fitness, body compositions, lactate, heart rate and calorie consumption of elite horse riding players. J Exerc Rehabil. 2015 Jun 30;11(3):175-81. doi: 10.12965/jer.150209. PMID: 26171385; PMCID: PMC4492429.

​

Physical Athletic Abilities: Definitions

Aerobic stamina * The ability to sustain a dynamic effort over an extended period of time (normally, efforts lasting several minutes, or even hours). Note: During efforts performed at maximal or near-maximal intensity and lasting between 3 and 20 minutes or so, performance is mainly determined by a subset of this athletic ability referred-to as “maximum aerobic power”.

Flexibility The ability to perform movements about a joint with the desired degree of amplitude, and without sustaining injury.

Speed * The ability to rapidly move the body over a given distance during an all-out effort of very short duration (8 seconds or less). It is also the ability to execute a particular movement, or series of movements, as fast as possible. 

Speed-endurance * The ability to sustain efforts at near-maximum speed for as long as possible (normally, very intense efforts lasting between 8 and 60 seconds).

Speed-strength * (also commonly referred-to as power) The ability to perform a muscle contraction or overcome a resistance as fast as possible (normally, very brief efforts of 1 or 2 seconds).

Strength endurance * The ability to perform repeated muscle contractions at intensities below maximum strength (normally, 15 to 30 repetitions or more).

Maximum strength The highest level of tension generated by a muscle or muscle group during a maximum contraction, regardless of the duration of the contraction.

Agility * The ability to execute movements or change body position and direction quickly and effectively.

Balance* The ability to achieve and maintain the desired level of stability while executing a task. There are three types of balance: (1) static balance: assuming a controlled body position in a steady environment (2) dynamic balance: maintaining control of the body’s position during movement, and/or stabilizing the body by performing muscular contractions to offset the effect of an external force and (3) the ability to keep an object or another body stable.

Coordination The ability to perform movements in the correct order, and with the right timing. Posture The ability to assume a correct body position prior to the execution of specific movements, to maintain it as may be required while performing the task, and to do so with the optimum degree of muscle tension. 

-2022 © Coaching Association of Canada & Equestrian Canada Developing Equestrian Athletic Abilities Coach Reference