Akadēmiskais centrshttps://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022.78 | 1084-1094 | PDF
Sustainability of Equestrian Physical Activities During Covid-19 Pandemic
Anastasija Ropa
Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Latvia
Abstract. Covid-19 and restrictions intended to curb the pandemic have affected all areas of human life, but in particular physical activities and exercise habits. Reduction in the time devoted to physical activities have been reported in all demographic groups in various countries, leading to both physical (excessive weight, deterioration of posture, decreased eyesight, increased blood pressure, etc.) and psychological problems (depressive mood). Equestrians were less susceptible to certain restrictions because they could exercise outdoors and individually. Also, horse owners are more likely to regularly spend time with their equine sporting partners. It remains to be determined if and to what extent the pandemic has affected the physical activities of equestrians and whether equestrian physical activities provide a sustainable source of exercise during Covid-19 pandemic. In order to determine this, empirical evidence was collected using a questionnaire that was distributed among the multinational base population of equestrians. The working hypothesis is that patterns of physical activity while working with horses and taking care of the animals had to be adjusted due to restrictions, but overall equestrian activities were sustained and, in some cases, might have even increased. At the same time, the nature of activities is more likely to have been changed: for instance, privileging individual outdoor trainings over group indoor ones and non-competitive recreational riding over competitive activities.
Keywords: competitive; Covid-19; equestrian; physical activity; recreational; sport activities; sustainability
In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2022. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2022. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2022. 1135 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022
ISBN 978-9934-18-911-1