OBJECTIVE: To analyze differences in muscle activation and exercises in the horse and in standing in a case of CVA.

METHODOLOGY: Subject: The study was carried out in a 54-year-old patient with a diagnosis of acquired cerebrovascular accident. Procedure: The muscular activity of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles has been analyzed bilaterally; on the other side of the tibialis anterior and peroneals by surface electromyography. For this, several postures and exercises have been performed on the horse and in standing: (1) static on the horse Vs static standing, (2) to ride a horse / posting on the stirrups / Vs static standing, (3) to ride a horse / posting on the stirrups Vs walking, (4) Static standing vs. walking. Subsequently, a qualitative analysis of the results was carried out. The instrument used was surface EMG equipment (Shimmer®, mDurance Pro®) and the placement of the electrodes was carried out following the SENIAM protocol.

RESULTS: (1) greater muscular activation of multifidus and erectors in the static standing position. (2) there is a muscular symmetry of the tibialis and peroneals in the comparison between both exercises / posture, showing less activation of the tibialis anterior. (3) in gait, there is greater symmetry between the peroneal and tibial muscles, while standing on the horse muscle activation predominates over the peroneal muscles. (4) Increased activation symmetrically at the moment of gait in the peroneal and tibialis anterior muscles. The tibialis anterior is activated with a greater proportion during gait than in static standing.

CONCLUSION: Surface electromyography makes it possible to determine differences in muscle activation in a quantitative and objective way between different postures and exercises on the horse and while standing, which is why it can be useful resource to assess and guide therapeutic interventions in hippotherapy, It is advisable to complement the assessment with other instruments that allow the analysis of the movement.