Tävlingsryttares uppfattning gällande styrketräning

Sammanfattning: Equestrian sport is one of the biggest sports in Sweden with 29 600-competition riders. Equestrian sport demands a high physical capacity and competition riders need to have both strength, endurance and balance. Therefore, strength training should always be a part of a competition rider´s training regime, because strength training can lead to enhanced performance at the same time as it prevents injuries. Despite this, research that show how much strength training a competition rider perform is limited. Some say that competition riders most often don´t perform any training outside of riding, while some say that physical training is a natural element in a competition rider everyday life. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to describe competition rider´s perceptions regarding strength training as well as the motivation for strength training. Furthermore, the study aims at examining how much and what kind of strength training competition riders perform as well as why/why not strength training is being performed. Method: Information was gathered through questionnaires and through interviews. The selection for the questionnaire was based of competition riders over the age of 18 that compete in islandic horse-competition. The selection for the interviews was based of equestrian trainers in the south of Dalarna that all train competition rider. Results: The result showed that more than half of the competition riders that were part of this study reach the recommendations that are set for strength training. The result also showed a generally positive attitude towards strength training where a perception of strength training leading to a better riding performance was noticeable. The reasons why competition riders perform strength training turned out to be "To be healthy" and "To become a better rider". The reasons why competition rider’s don´t perform strength training turned out to be "Lack of time", "Lack of motivation" and to some extent also "Lack of knowledge". Slutsatser : The competition riders and equestrian trainers in this study generally have a positive attitude towards strength training, but despite of this there are some barriers that prevent strength training. Competition riders should work to overcome these barriers, because strength training has been showed important when performing on top in equestrian sport.