Document Detail


An eight-week golf-specific exercise program improves physical characteristics, swing mechanics, and golf performance in recreational golfers.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17685707     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week golf-specific exercise program on physical characteristics, swing mechanics, and golf performance. Fifteen trained male golfers (47.2 +/- 11.4 years, 178.8 +/- 5.8 cm, 86.7 +/- 9.0 kg, and 12.1 +/- 6.4 U.S. Golf Association handicap) were recruited. Trained golfers was defined operationally as golfers who play a round of golf at least 2-3 times per week and practice at the driving range at least 2-3 times per week during the regular golf season. Subjects performed a golf-specific conditioning program 3-4 times per week for 8 weeks during the off-season in order to enhance physical characteristics. Pre- and posttraining testing of participants included assessments of strength (torso, shoulder, and hip), flexibility, balance, swing mechanics, and golf performance. Following training, torso rotational strength and hip abduction strength were improved significantly (p < 0.05). Torso, shoulder, and hip flexibility improved significantly in all flexibility measurements taken (p < 0.05). Balance was improved significantly in 3 of 12 measurements, with the remainder of the variables demonstrating a nonsignificant trend for improvement. The magnitude of upper-torso axial rotation was decreased at the acceleration (p = 0.015) and impact points (p =0.043), and the magnitude of pelvis axial rotation was decreased at the top (p = 0.031) and acceleration points (p = 0.036). Upper-torso axial rotational velocity was increased significantly at the acceleration point of the golf swing (p = 0.009). Subjects increased average club velocity (p = 0.001), ball velocity (p = 0.001), carry distance (p = 0.001), and total distance (p = 0.001). These results indicate that a golf-specific exercise program improves strength, flexibility, and balance in golfers. These improvements result in increased upper-torso axial rotational velocity, which results in increased club head velocity, ball velocity, and driving distance.
Authors:
Scott M Lephart; James M Smoliga; Joseph B Myers; Timothy C Sell; Yung-Shen Tsai
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association     Volume:  21     ISSN:  1064-8011     ISO Abbreviation:  J Strength Cond Res     Publication Date:  2007 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-08-09     Completed Date:  2007-11-08     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9415084     Medline TA:  J Strength Cond Res     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  860-9     Citation Subset:  IM; S    
Affiliation:
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsuburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA. LehartSM@upmc.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Biomechanics
Golf / physiology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength / physiology
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
Physical Education and Training / methods*
Pliability
Postural Balance / physiology
Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
Statistics, Nonparametric
Treatment Outcome

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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