A Physiotherapy-Led Exercise Program for Low Back Pain in Amateur Horse Riders: A Feasibility Study

Horse riders are suggested to be at an increased risk of developing low back pain (LBP) as a result of mechanical demands and reduced lumbo-pelvic stability, which negatively impacts riding performance. Yet there is currently no evidence for a physiotherapy intervention targeting this. This feasibility study included six amateur adult horse riders who completed a six-week online physiotherapy-led exercise and education program. Primary feasibility outcome measures were recruitment, retention, adherence, participant satisfaction, and safety. Secondary outcomes included exploration of intervention efficacy, specifically LBP and lumbo-pelvic stability responses. Recruitment and retention rates were satisfactory at 64% (9/14 participants) and 67% (6/9 participants), respectively. Adherence rates were high at 86%. No participants reported worsening of their LBP or any adverse effects, and satisfaction was high. Intervention efficacy showed preliminary positive responses, with the Athlete Disability Index Questionnaire (ADIQ) showing a 67% improvement. The ADIQ, lumbo-pelvic stability tests, and functional movement screening tool (FMS) appear to be feasible methods for collecting effectiveness data in a larger trial. These findings indicate that delivering a six-week physiotherapy exercise program targeting lumbo-pelvic stability appears to be feasible and acceptable. With minor modifications to the recruitment window and location, it could be tested in an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness in managing LBP and performance outcomes in amateur adult horse riders.