Acute Effects on Glucose Metabolism in Mechanical Horseback Riding Therapy

Abstract

We studied the acute effects of mechanical horseback riding therapy on glucose metabolism via euglycemicglucose clamp. Subjects were 5 healthy men. After 60 minutes of riding exercise, the glucose infusionrate (GIR) significantly increased (P<0.01) over resting time, and this continued at recovery. These resultssuggest that mechanical horseback riding therapy increased energy expenditure, and enhanced glucose uptaketo the skeletal muscles, especially the thigh, abdomen, and low-back muscles. This may thus be usefulin physical exercise therapy for patients with diabetes and lifestyle-related diseases.