Lumbopelvic kinematic characteristics of golfers with limited hip rotation.
BACKGROUND
While the biomechanical characteristics of the golf swing are well established, the lumbopelvic kinematic characteristics of professional golfers with limited hip internal rotation warrant further investigation.


OBJECTIVE
The specific aim was to ascertain mechanical differences in lumbopelvic-hip movement of asymptomatic professional golfers with and without limited hip internal rotation during the golf swing.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Thirty professional male golfers (aged 25-35 years and 0 handicap matched) were classified into either the limited hip internal motion (LHIM) group (range of motion<20°) or the normal hip internal motion (NHIM) group (range of motion≥30°). All participants underwent clinical tests (muscle strength, muscle length, and range of motion) and a biomechanical assessment using 8 infrared optic cameras in a motion analysis system. Independent t tests were performed to determine potential mean differences in muscle strength, length, and range of motion and lumbopelvic kinematics at P<.05.


RESULTS
Kinematic analysis revealed that the LHIM group showed significantly greater lumbar flexion (P<.001), right and left axial rotation (P<.025), and right-side lateral bending (P=.003) than the NHIM group. A greater pelvic posterior tilt was observed in the LHIM group when compared with the NHIM group (P=.021). Clinical tests showed reduced internal rotator muscle strength and shorter muscle length in the iliopsoas (P=.017) and hamstring (P<.001) among those in the LHIM group when compared with the NHIM group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study data suggest that constraints to hip joint internal rotation, along with muscle strength imbalances between the agonist and antagonist muscles and muscle tightness, are associated with substantially greater lumbopelvic movement during the golf swing.
Research and Development Team, Korea Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea Department of Ergonomic Therapy, Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Sol-Bi
SB
Kim
Department of Ergonomic Therapy, Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea neurorehab@yonsei.ac.kr.
Joshua Sung H
JS
You
Department of Ergonomic Therapy, Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Oh-Yun
OY
Kwon
Department of Ergonomic Therapy, Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Chung-Hwi
CH
Yi
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D016658:Psoas Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation
golf; limited hip rotation; lumbopelvic kinematics; muscle imbalance