Análise postural e eletromiográfica em praticantes de Equoterapia com Síndrome de Down

Abstract

Introduction: Hippotherapy is a therapeutic method that uses the horse's movement to achieve functional outcomes, and is a treatment used for individuals with Down Syndrome, who have neurophysiological and motor affecting the musculoskeletal system. Objective: To evaluate practioners with Down syndrome and no physical impairment undergoing hippotherapy effects related to muscle activation and postural alignment. Materials and methods: The study included 10 subjects divided into 2 groups: Group Down (GD) - individuals with Down Syndrome, and Healthy Group (GS) - individuals without physical impairment. Muscle activation of the gluteus medius, tensor fascia latae, rectus femoralis, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius was assessed by electromyography, the 1st and 10th session of hippotherapy (frequency: once per week) (Evaluation 1 and 2), and after treatment-free interval was held on the 1st and 10th session of hippotherapy (frequency: two times per week) (Evaluation 3 and 4). Postural assessment was performed before and after hippotherapy sessions, by photogrammetry using the Software Postural Assessment (SAPo). The sessions were held for 30 minutes in different soil types, with the horse while and use blanket with feet out of the stirrup. Results and conclusions: The three-dimensional movement of the horse provided a muscular activation of the muscles, which increased over the sessions of the independent weekly service, but a period without treatment may result in reduced this effect. The practice of riding therapy provided a better adaptation of muscle responses against the different tasks, although the type of soil does not appear to influence muscle activation. Individuals with DS showed satisfactory changes in motor behavior that reflected improved static posture, promoting improvements in postural and alignment of the lower limbs.