The effects of a double breast mastectomy on upper body position during simulated horseback riding: a case study

The aim of this case study was to investigate the effect of a prophylactic double breast mastectomy on upper body position during simulated horseback riding. One participant (age 41 years; height: 1.8 m; mass 90 kg), an advanced dressage rider, volunteered to be tested pre- and post-surgery (112 days apart). A digital camera (50 Hz) collected kinematic data from the upper body during simulated trotting and cantering. Trunk and elbow angles (°) and vertical displacement (mm) of the hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist were analysed over four stride cycles and compared between the pre- and post-surgery testing sessions. Results suggest that there was greater trunk and elbow extension and a decrease in vertical excursion of the upper body post-surgery, which could affect performance in dressage. This information may aid rehabilitation in horse riders who have undergone breast mastectomy surgery.