Rehabilitation effect of Hippotherapy on bad posture of older elementary school children

This bachelor thesis deals with the influence of rehabilitation hippotherapy on poor posture in older school-age children. It is necessary to search already in childhood for development causes of musculoskeletal diseases when the muscular imbalance develops due to an incorrect load on the musculoskeletal system, leading to poor posture. In the recent years an enormous increase in the poor posture in children has been discussed, the increase being connected to the change of lifestyle, to an increase in obesity, largely to the lack of physical exercise and one-sidedness of modern lifestyle. Hippotherapy is a method of physiotherapy using the natural horse movement at the walk as a stimulating and physiotherapeutic element. By achieving kinetic harmony of the client and the horse, an activation of non-pathological movement programs occurs. A possible beneficial influence on change in poor posture in children before completion of growth is considered, the result of which could be the possibility of avoiding potential emergence of scoliosis in adolescence up to adulthood. This bachelor thesis has one research question and two objectives. The objectives are to map out the influence of hippotherapy on the improvement of body posture in older school-age children and to develop a specific therapeutic procedure of hippotherapy for the observed probands. The research question analyses whether and which changes occurred after the hippotherapy in the observed probands. The theoretical part consists of two sections, in the first section I deal with the issue of poor posture. Here is the emergence of the poor posture outlined. In the following part, the terms of poor posture, ideal posture, posture and deep stabilization system are defined. Last but not least I dedicate myself with poor posture diagnostics, namely with the most used methods such as the Matthias posture test. The last part is devoted to causes and prevention of poor posture. The second section deals with the hippotherapy as such, the terms of hipporehabilitation and hippotherapy are defined there. I also deal with brief history. In the next chapter the practical performance of hippotherapy is described, where I present the hippotherapeutic team, equipment, and outline the choice importance of a suitable horse for the given therapy. Other chapters include the mechanics of horse movement with the summary of all horse gaits. In the last chapter I introduce the basic positions used in hippotherapy. In the practical part of the bachelor thesis a qualitative research was used in the form of processing complete case studies of two probands attending civic association O.S. Krapet Dynín. To obtain all the necessary data, a kinesiological analysis was conducted and medical history taken. Interviews were conducted with the probands' parents because the respondents did not reach the age of majority and it could lead to a distortion of information. Furthermore, a static examination by front, rear and side aspection was performed with both probands. Other examinations which were performed include Trendelenburg-Duchenne test, Thomayer test, Matthias test, the posture standard according to Klein and Thomas and the examination of gait. It follows from the above that positive effects of rehabilitation hippotherapy were observed in probands. They both continue the therapy praising the positive effects achieved during it. The bachelor thesis can be used as educative and informational material for physiotherapy students and as a basis for further research. The purpose of the work is to raise awareness of the issue among both general and professional public