University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development Community & Leadership Development 2017 RIDING THROUGH LIFE: A LIFESPAN STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FEMALE EQUESTRIANS TOWARD BRA USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES WHEN ENGAGED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS Karin Pekarchik University of Kentucky, [email protected] Author ORCID Identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7017-6963 Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2017.404 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Pekarchik, Karin, "RIDING THROUGH LIFE: A LIFESPAN STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FEMALE EQUESTRIANS TOWARD BRA USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES WHEN ENGAGED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS" (2017). Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development. 39. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cld_etds/39 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Community & Leadership Development at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. 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Karin Pekarchik, Student Dr. Lori Garkovich, Major Professor Dr. Patricia Dyk, Director of Graduate Studies RIDING THROUGH LIFE: A LIFESPAN STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FEMALE EQUESTRIANS TOWARD BRA USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES WHEN ENGAGED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS __________________________________________ THESIS __________________________________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Community and Leadership Development in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky By Karin Pekarchik Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Lori Garkovich, Professor of Community and Leadership Development Lexington, Kentucky 2017 Copyright © Karin Pekarchik 2017 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7017-6963 ABSTRACT OF THESIS RIDING THROUGH LIFE: A LIFESPAN STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FEMALE EQUESTRIANS TOWARD BRA USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES WHEN ENGAGED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS Equestrian sport is a popular exercise choice for females of all ages, although the links between this exercise choice, health outcomes, and risk to health have not been thoroughly examined. These issues are of particular interest because the female equestrian has the opportunity to ride and/or compete for decades, from early to very late in life, covering almost the full sequence of the female lifespan. Equestrian sports provide physical activity through riding and caring for the horse, and promote positive mental outcomes through tangible practices, such as engaging in physical activity and hard work, goal-setting, acquisition of skills, and participation in a strong community of practice. Equestrianism is an under-researched activity and sport, but increased understanding of female equestrian health and wellness outcomes may contribute to better health and wellness outcomes for female riders. Since equestrian sports participants are predominantly female, with 74% to 80% of the riding population being women, it is important to understand and potentially improve the health and wellness of female riders. This improved understanding may provide their riding careers with increased longevity, comfort, and healthy. It may allow them to enjoy the sport, whatever their age, minimizing or preventing any health issues. A deeper understanding of mental and physical changes from riding will educate and empower women so they are making informed decisions as they ride, talk to their coaches and doctors, and invest in equipment ranging from sport-specific bras to saddles. Manufacturers may also become aware of the potential opportunity to market female-focused products to this community of practice, which has a demonstrated commitment to the horse and accompanying expenditures. Most research is centered on the horse or major equestrian injuries (death, concussion, bone breakage), but it is hypothesized that having an increased understanding of other health issues, ranging from breast, bladder, and groin health to bone density, weight, and body image, may be of great value. The following master’s thesis will review the current literature related to female health as it relates to equestrian sports; report results of a research survey conducted about female equestrian health and wellness, with a focus on breast health and bra use; discuss the survey results; and make recommendations for future research in this area. KEYWORDS: Female Equestrian Health and Wellness, Horse Riding, Bra Use in Equestrians, Breast Health in Equestrians, Aging in Female Equestrians Karin Pekarchik Student’s Signature 9/02/2017 RIDING THROUGH LIFE: A LIFESPAN STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FEMALE EQUESTRIANS TOWARD BRA USE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES WHEN ENGAGED IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS By Karin Pekarchik Lori Garkovich, Ph.D. Director of Thesis Patricia Dyk, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies 9/02/17 DEDICATION For Max and Jane, who have improved my life beyond measure. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following master’s thesis benefitted from the insight and guidance provided by many people. In particular, I would like to thank my thesis committee chair Lori Garkovich, Ph.D., for her support during my master’s work, as well as the other members of my committee, Dr. Fernanda Camargo and Dr. Bryan Hains. I also would like to thank Professor Sue Nokes, Ph.D., P.E., for hiring me to fill a job that I have found to be full of opportunity. Last, I would like to thank all of the equestrians who participated in the equestrian health and wellness research survey. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................... iii List of Figures ................................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................1 Overview of Prior Research ................................................................................. 1 A Community of Practice and a Community of Interest ........................................ 9 Bra Use, Bra Fit, and Breast Discomfort/Pain ................................................................ 12 Other Female Equestrian Health Issues ........................................................................ 14 Healthy Aging .................................................................................................... 14 Weight, Nutrition, and Body Image ..................................................................... 15 Physical Fitness ................................................................................................. 15 Bladder, Groin, and Pelvic Floor Health ............................................................ 17 Emergent Smart Technologies ........................................................................... 18 CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH APPROACH ......................................................................... 21 Gaps in the Literature .................................................................................................... 21 A Community of Interest and Practice ................................................................ 22 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 23 Hypotheses ........................................................................................................ 24 Research Approach ........................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER 3 SURVEY METHODOLOGY .....................................................................