2001 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 167-172
It is well known that active horseback riding therapy is effective for body muscle function and psychological well-being. Initially, we wanted to introduce this horseback riding therapy into Japan. But, there are practical difficulties with regard to keeping horses in our country, especially in hospitals of urban areas. Therefore, we think the only (practical) method of reproducing horseback riding conditions is the simulator. One purpose of the development of a horseback riding simulator is to make an assessment system and to establish a training system for body-balance functions. Another purpose is for the strengthening of leg and trunk muscles through active prevention of loss of balance. Consequentially, the muscles are trained, and the simulator leads to the treatment of Lower Back Pain. In 1985, KIMURA developed a prototype horse back riding simulator. It was a machine, which made six movements, which reproduced the movement of a horse's saddle. Six motors were used for the machine. The six movements were: ¨ pitching movement, ¡ roll movement, ¬ twist movement, movement forward and backward, side to side movement and vertical movement. Although individual movement was possible, the six movements were not synchronized. After the passage of ten years, we have now succeeded in the reproduction of the movement of a horse's saddle by using a parallel mechanism and motion capture. A computer memorized a horse's movement, and reproduces the horse's back movement in the simulator. We could make the electro-myographical analysis of the rider.
