A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE MODERN AND THE LOWER BODY GOLF SWING TECHNIQUES– PILOT STUDY WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR LOWER BACK INJURY RISK

Authors

Sarah Breen, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Katja Osterwald, Athlone Institute of TechnologyFollow
Chris Richter, Sport Surgery Clinic, DublinFollow
Erich Petushek, Michigan State University; Northern Michigan UniversityFollow

Category

Implement sports

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of the lower body swing to modern swing techniques, with a focus on lower back injury risk. Fifteen male individuals free from lower back injury participated in this study. Nine participants utilized the modern swing (age = 48.0 ± 13.6 years; height = 176.8 ± 4.4 cm; mass = 82.1 ± 5.3 kg) while six utilized the lower body swing (age = 53.9 ±12.1 years; height = 182.9 ± 6.1 cm; mass = 92.5 ± 14.8 kg). Whole body kinematics were recorded with a ten-camera motion analysis system while individuals performed 5 shots with a driver for maximum distance. Continuous waveform and discrete point analysis was used to explore the differences between these two techniques. The lower body swing demonstrated favourable kinematics in the majority of variables related to lower back pain and lumbar load.

Recommended Citation

Breen, Sarah; Osterwald, Katja; Richter, Chris; and Petushek, Erich (2019) "A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE MODERN AND THE LOWER BODY GOLF SWING TECHNIQUES– PILOT STUDY WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR LOWER BACK INJURY RISK," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 54.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol37/iss1/54