Context: Previous research has analyzed how the sport influences sagittal spinal curvatures in young athletes and has found that spinal curves may be modified as a consequence of repeated movement patterns and postures of each discipline.
Objective: To analyze sagittal spinal alignment by equestrian discipline and its relation to training load, and to describe "sagittal integrative morphotype" in young riders.
Design: Observational descriptive study.
Setting: Training room.
Participants: A total of 23 riders (aged 9-17 y)-13 dressage riders (3 males and 10 females) and 10 show jumping riders (5 males and 5 females)-participated voluntarily.
Main outcome measures: Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine differences between riders' characteristics (gender, discipline, and training load) and spine variables.
Results: According to normality ranges for spinal curves, females showed an increase for lumbar curvature in standing position. It was found that show jumping riders manifested an increment in thoracic and lumbar curves while standing and an increase in the thoracic curvature in slump sitting. Statistically significant differences were found when lumbar curvature, "sit and reach" distance, and lumbo-horizontal angle in flexion were analyzed by gender in "sit and reach" test. No statistical significant differences were found when spinal curves in each position were analyzed depending on the training load. With regard to "sagittal integrative morphotype," all riders presented a hyperkyphotic dorsal morphotype no matter what their discipline. As for the lumbar curve, dressage and show jumping riders presented a functional hyperkyphotic morphotype.
Conclusions: It is important to note that many riders presented a sagittal imbalance for the thoracic and lumbar curves. Therefore, as the sagittal spinal misalignments persist and worsen over time, exercise programs to prevent or rehabilitate these imbalances in young riders will be needed. The "sagittal integrative morphotype" assessment is an essential tool in order to identify the spinal misalignment.
Keywords: equestrian; injury; posture; spine; youth athlete.