Physical Activity and Sleep Improvements in a Group of Equestrian Therapy Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Inés M Garcia-Peña; Andres García Gómez; Eloisa Guerrero-Barona; Juan M Moreno-Manso; Sabina Barrios-Fernandez

doi:10.1155/2022/5364491

Physical Activity and Sleep Improvements in a Group of Equestrian Therapy Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Mar 30:2022:5364491. doi: 10.1155/2022/5364491. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Inés M Garcia-Peña¹, Andres García Gómez², Eloisa Guerrero-Barona¹, Juan M Moreno-Manso¹, Sabina Barrios-Fernandez³

Affiliations

¹ Psychology and Anthropology Department, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
² Occupational Stress, Psychopathologies and Emotional Well-Being (GRESPE) Research Group, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
³ Social Impact and Innovation, Health (InHEALTH) Research Group, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain.

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether participation as a supportive volunteer in equestrian therapy (ET) sessions influences participants' physiological health-related parameters, including physical activity and sleep. Physical activity, measured in steps, and hours of sleep were measured in 10 subjects who participated regularly as volunteers in ET sessions using a triaxial accelerometer which continuously recorded their activity for 30 days. On the one hand, the subjects showed higher physical activity levels on days when they volunteered in ET sessions versus the days they did not. A significant difference and large effect magnitude were found. On the other hand, on the days they attended ET, they slept an average of 30 minutes more, with significant differences and a moderate effect. Thus, participation as a volunteer in ET sessions seems to have a positive influence on physical activity and sleep time, so it should be recommended as an activity to promote healthy habits.