The Effects of Horse-riding Simulator Training with Dual-task on Pulmonary Function and Flexibility in Healthy Adults

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a simultaneous dual-task and horse-riding simulator (HRS) training regime on pulmonary function and flexibility. @*Methods@#Sixteen subjects were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups a dual-task (DT) (n=8) or a single-task (ST) (n=8) training group. Flexibility and pulmonary function were assessed before and after HRS training. Both groups underwent HRS training for 4 weeks, 3 times/week in 15-minute training sessions. The ST group underwent HRS training and the DT group underwent dual-task HRS training, which consisted of throwing and catching a ball and ring catching while HRS training. @*Results@#Training significantly increased flexibility and FVC (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) in both groups (p0.05). After the training, flexibility and FVC in the DT group were significantly greater than in the ST group (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#Simultaneous dual-task and HRS motor training improved flexibility, FVC, and FEV1, and our comparative analysis suggests that dual-task HRS training improved flexibility and FVC more than single-task training.