Original research Postural characteristics of female dressage riders using 3D motion analysis and the effects of an athletic taping technique: A randomised control trial Jill Alexander a, * , Sarah-Jane Hobbs b , Karen May a , Alison Northrop c , Charlotte Brigden d , James Selfe a a Allied Health Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom b SENS, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom c Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom d Myerscough Agricultural College, Lancashire, United Kingdom article info Article history: Received 27 March 2014 Received in revised form 12 September 2014 Accepted 19 September 2014 Keywords: Dressage Asymmetry Kinematics Taping abstract Objectives: To observe postural characteristics of female dressage riders, through application of three- dimensional motion analysis and to assess the effects of athletic taping on postural asymmetry during sitting trot. Design: Randomised cross-over. Setting: Data collection took place at Myerscough Agricultural College in an indoor riding area. Participants: Ten healthy female experienced dressage riders participated. Main outcome measurements: Movement kinematics of the trunk and pelvis, pre and post taping intervention. Results: Riders presented pre-intervention with asymmetric movement characteristics through dynamic observation of trunk and pelvic postures during sitting trot. There was a significant increase (p  0.05) in the range (  ) of trunk lateral-flexion following tape intervention applied over the thoracic spine. Conclusion: This study supports the quantification of dynamic postural characteristics of dressage ath- letes by three-dimensional motion analysis. Asymmetrical postures occur within dressage riders when performing sitting trot. The application of tape to ‘align’ asymmetry altered riders' postures. Taping over the thoracic region resulted in a compensatory increase in motion through the lumbar region. Clinicians should approach the application of postural taping with an awareness of the restrictive mechanisms of tape. Findings may help clinicians determine whether technique/type of tape applied is suitable for achieving marginal gains in the alignment of posture in competitive dressage athletes. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Dressage rider athletes strive to be harmonious with a horses motion, adapting their postural movements to engage optimum performance and communication with the horse (Kang et al., Ryu, Ryew, Oh, Lee, & Kang, 2010). Empirical research regarding rider asymmetry alone is uncommon, even though there is, albeit min- imal, subjective association between poor postural performance and reduced equine performance during dressage (Dyson, 2002; Symes & Ellis, 2009). Within human medicine, motion analysis has been extensively used for decades (Hobbs, Levine, Richards, Clayton, Tate, & Walker, 2010). Lack of experimental studies mini- mises the availability of appropriate reliable and valid methods to quantify rider postures. Capturing the way a rider sits and moves with a horse during dressage is vital to enhance understanding of collaborative performance. In F ed eration Equestre Internationale (FEI) dressage the rider's position, seat and correctness contribute to the scoring of the overall performance at elite competition levels (Hawson, 2010). A small number of previous studies have observed rider and horse movement relationships during various dressage gaits (Lagarde, Peham, Licka, & Kelso, 2005; Münz, Eckardt, & Witte, 2014; Peham, Licka, Kapaun & Scheidl, 2001; Peham, Licka, Schobesberger, & Meshan 2004; Sch€ ollhorn, Peham, Licka & Scheidl, 2006; Wolframm, Bosga, & Meulenbroek, 2013), however * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ44 1772 892781. E-mail address: Jalexander3@uclan.ac.uk (J. Alexander). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Physical Therapy in Sport journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/ptsp http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.09.005 1466-853X/© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Physical Therapy in Sport xxx (2014) 1e8 Please cite this article in press as: Alexander, J., et al., Postural characteristics of female dressage riders using 3D motion analysis and the effects of an athletic taping technique: A randomised control trial, Physical Therapy in Sport (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.09.005