Sports injury risk assessment based on a training and functional movement analysis of young elite equestrian athletes– an exploratory cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Dressage and show jumping is a high-risk sport, especially for young and professional riders. Objective To analyze hip flexibility and strength, dynamic body balance, functional movement and pelvic obliquity in junior elite equestrian athletes as potential targets for future preventive measures. Design A single-center cross-sectional study. Methods Members of an elite junior equestrian team (N = 12) underwent standardized interviews, basic orthopedic examinations, lower quarter Y-balance testing (YBT-LQ), functional movement screening (FMS), and hip abductor/adductor strength measurements. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), a linear mixed model, and univariable logistic regression were used. Results General medical issues were reported by 83.3% and orthopedic issues by 66.7% of the participants. For the YBT-LQ test, the mean composite score was 89.6% ± 8.0%, and maximally reached distances in one direction of movement varied between 0.1 and 5.4 cm between the right and left legs. Posteromedial reached distances were significantly influenced (p =.031) by years of training in equestrian sports. Participants achieved an average of 15.2 ± 1.9 points in the FMS, and two had scores below 14. Hip strength measurements showed 8-19% stronger adductors than abductors. Hip flexion contractures were identified in all show jumping athletes. Conclusion The results focus on the imbalances that can pose a high risk of injury. In particular, in future training concepts and preventive efforts, imbalance should be addressed in the Y-balance test, hip muscles with stronger adductor than abductor, and hip flexion contracture.