Swing kinematics in skilled male golfers following putting practice.
METHODS
Control laboratory study consisting of preintervention and postintervention measurements.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of a putting practice session on the kinematics of full golf swings made by skilled male golfers.


BACKGROUND
Skilled golfers perform putting practice for prolonged periods. The combination of sustained trunk flexion with minimal trunk motion may affect the endurance capacity of the trunk extensor muscles. Because of their important role in the golf swing, any impairment of the trunk extensors may negatively influence full-swing kinematics, but this has not been previously evaluated.


METHODS
Three-dimensional swing kinematics and holding time on the Biering-Sørensen test of isometric trunk extensor endurance were evaluated in 29 skilled male golfers before and after performing a 40-minute putting task.


RESULTS
After the intervention, peak segmental speeds were reduced and total swing duration increased (mean +/- SD, 36 +/- 55 milliseconds). There were reductions in the magnitude of pelvis and torso axial rotation during the downswing (mean +/- SD, -2.3 degrees +/- 2.6 degrees and -2.3 degrees +/- 4.7 degrees , respectively). The peak difference between torso rotation and pelvis rotation during early downswing was also significantly reduced by 0.9 degrees +/- 2.0 degrees (P<.05). The effects on pelvis and torso rotation were smallest for golfers with higher body mass index (BMI). Holding time on the Biering-Sørensen test after putting practice was significantly reduced by 25.7 +/- 23.8 seconds (P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in swing kinematics observed following 40 minutes of putting practice might have resulted from fatigue-related impairment of the trunk extensor muscles, a view supported by the poorer performance on the postintervention Biering-Sørensen test. Results showed that swing kinematics of golfers with high BMI were least affected by the putting practice.


METHODS
Harm, level 5.
Evans
Kerrie
K
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. kerrie.evans@griffith.edu.au
Refshauge
Kathryn M
KM
Adams
Roger D
RD
Barrett
Rod
R
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values