. (2014) A preliminary investigation of the use of inertial sensing technology for the measurement of hip rotation asymmetry in horse riders. Sports Technology, 7 (1-2). pp. 79-88. ISSN 1934-6182

There is limited scientific evidence concerning the effect of rider weight on pressures under the saddle and equine performance. The objective of this prospective, crossover, randomised trial was to assess pressure distribution and magnitude in horses ridden by four riders of similar ability but differing in bodyweight and height. Six horses in regular work were ridden by four riders (rider bodyweight: horse body weight percentage > 10 ≤ 12and > 20 [VH = Very Heavy]), performing a purpose-designed dressage test (30 min). The test was abandoned for ≥ grade 3/8 lameness or ≥ 10 behavioural markers (assessed in real-time). A calibrated force mat (Pliance) was used to record pressures under the saddle in walk, trot and canter on left and right reins. Rider position was assessed. All 13 H and VH tests and one of 12 M rider tests were abandoned (lameness, n = 12; behaviour, n = 1). At walk, the seat of rider VH extended beyond the cantle of the saddle; rider H sat on the cantle of the saddle. At trot and canter the heels of rider VH were consistently cranial to the tubera coxae and shoulders. Pressures were significantly higher under the caudal aspect of the saddle compared with cranially for rider VH in walk (P<0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni). At rising trot pressures were higher cranially for riders L, M and H (P<0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni), but were similar cranially and caudally for rider VH. The highest maximum peak pressure was recorded for rider VH in canter. A limitation was that speed can alter pressure measurements, but was not controlled or recorded. We concluded that there were differences in magnitude and distribution of pressures among the four riders according to their size, which may have contributed to the development of musculoskeletal pain. This may also have been influenced by saddle fit for riders and their positions.

This is an author-created version of a manuscript accepted for publication in AbstractEquestrian sports report three to five times higher incidence rates for lower back pain than that of the general population, with hip flexion angles of 50-60° suggested as a causal factor. Inertial motion capture technology enables dynamic measurement of rider kinematics but data extraction is time-consuming. The aim of this study was to develop a software tool to automate the process of extracting biomechanical data from the Xsens TM MVN (MoCap) system to investigate postural changes in riders, comparing static position at halt with dynamic position during the sit phase of rising trot. The software was found to be efficient, reducing data extraction time by 97% when used with a sample of 16 riders. Good correlation was found between hip flexion and pelvic anterior-posterior rotation and between halt and trot but with significantly greater values of hip flexion and pelvic anterior rotation in trot. No riders showed hip flexion >50° at halt but 11 riders (69%) showed hip flexion >50° during the sit phase of rising trot, indicating that dynamic assessment is important when considering rider postural faults that may put them at risk of back injury.

This paper describes a project carried out within the University of Sunderland's Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology during the 2008/9 academic year to investigate the potential for the use of LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots in the teaching of basic programming skills to undergraduate students. The project's initial proposal and context is discussed, with potential benefits identified and feedback methods outlined. The paper then describes of students and evaluates the student feedback and results obtained. In addition, a number of spin-off projects are the operational issues encountered when the project was implemented for two separate cohorts described which have provided additional benefits to students, the department and local schoolchildren. The paper concludes by outlining future work which is being carried out at the University of Sunderland as a result of this project.

Current approaches to the postural assessment of horse riders is highly subjective, with a lack of consistency between practitioners. A technology-based solution would remove the human perspective and enable a more consistent, accurate and objective assessment to be carried out. This paper provides preliminary insights on the use of a customised method based on contextual inquiry for gathering contextual data in an unusual, in the wild context. This will be used to determine a standardised data collection protocol and context-specific interface design for an inertial motion sensor based rider assessment tool. Contextual inquiry. Context of use. Data visualisation. Research in the wild.