Crap from the barn

    I will summarize my next book which is titled An Anatomy of Riding translated by Susan Newkirk.  This was an excellent older book to gain greater understanding of the anatomy of riding.  It was divided into four parts, anatomy, riding requirements from an anatomical point of view, training, and teaching and learning.  The most beneficial section for me was the explanation of muscles in the abdomen and back.  I needed to extend my understanding of how these muscles worked and especially during ri  ding.

     An example of the clear explanation given is on page 27.  It specifically stated that the most important muscles in relation to riding is those of the anterior abdominal wall.  These are layered muscles. The author gives a descriptive explanation about where they are located.  In addition, later on in the book the author goes on to discuss the relationship to the functions of the individual muscles in riding. A similar explanation is also given for the back muscles.

     A particularly interesting piece came at the end of the book in which the author actually dedicates an entire part to training.  Better yet, it is training the muscles.  He discusses the importance of strength in muscles and the different types of strength one may encounter.  This section also reinforces other information from previously read books pertaining to the oxygen use in the muscles and how this can be stress on the muscles which results in fatigue and possibly lower back pain. 

      This book reinforced my initial thoughts that muscle strength in both the abdomen and back is important and can be related to lower back pain for riders.  After my first several readings, I was not sure strength was as big a factor as I had thought.  Other books just mentioned stretching, nothing about strength.  I do believe both are significant in riding effectively.  The author also gave some new exercises in which I have not experienced to develop particular riding muscles in the back, abdomen and both at the same time. 

  I am still not sure I am finding a direct link between lower back pain the lack of conditioned muscles. My question is: Do I have to find that direct link or is something I may expose/discover in my research. I realize I may not uncover a relationship between the two, is that also alright or will the action research be considered a failure if my action plan does not work?