Correlation Of Lumbopelvic-hip Complex Stability To Pain In NCAA Division III Golfers

Abstract

PURPOSE: Golf is popular, with many middle-aged participants. A concern for healthcare workers is how to advise those wishing to return to golf after a lower extremity (LE) injury or surgery. A common recommendation is to use a half swing, however, it is not known whether this reduces the motion or muscular torque for the LE. The purpose of this study was to examine the peak torques and positions of the hip during a half swing versus a full golf. METHODS: 11 healthy amateur male golfers with handicaps ≤ 21 participated in this study. All participants completed 20 golf swings (10 full swings, 10 half swings). A 10-camera motion analysis system, with force plates, were used to record swing data. Data was reduced using a 3-D modeling program and standard inverse dynamics were used to determine internal net joint torques. Peak torques (Nm; normalized by %BWHt) and movement positions (degrees) were analyzed in SPSS (Version 24) Differences and correlations considered significant if at the .05 level of probability. A repeated measures ANCOVA (club-head velocity in mph, as the covariate) was used to compare half to full swing for each movement. RESULTS: Subjects had an average age of 44±16 years and an average handicap of 13±6. Club-head speed ranged from 69 to 113mph, with an average of 91±12mph. The highest torques in both full (12.02±1.97 Nm/%BWHt) and half swings (12.04±2.07 Nm/%BWHt) occurred in trail hip extension. This was followed by lead hip flexion and hip abduction, and trail hip abduction in both swing styles. (6.58±2.46, 6.04±2.07 and 5.75±1.11 Nm/%BWHt, respectively). The highest peak positions were in the trail leg for flexion and abduction. There was a significant correlation between each half and full swing position ranging from r=.85 to r=.98. Repeated measures ANCOVAs found no significant differences between half and full golf swings. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to a pilot study, our data show that using a half swing did not reduce the amount of internal torque around the hip, as compared to a full swing. All torques were similar to a published study in which it was noted that the torques were much higher than reported hip torques for walking and activities of daily living. These findings suggest that clinicians should use caution in recommending a half vs a full swing for those returning to golf following an injury or surgery.