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ARCHIVE

by John Prokopiak, BS, DC, ART
& Richard C. Lansky, CSCS

It's not suprising that 80% of all golfers suffer low back pain at some point during their playing career. While the professional golfer will more often experience repetitive motion injuries, the amateur golfer is at much greater risk for muscle strain injuries of a more acute nature.

This may be due to the fact that there exists approximately 80% greater peak lateral-bending and shear loads during golf play than at rest. Also, the golf swing develops a peak compression load of more than eight times body weight, which can translate to about 6000 to 7500 N. By comparison, prolapsed discs can be caused by about 5500 N. of force. Amateur and recreational golfers often compensate for poor swing mechanics by recruiting other muscles and movements, thus increasing the physical demands on the body. These muscles and their associated connective tissues have not been prepared to deal with the stresses involved in such actions and as such are at risk of injury.

A properly-designed, golf-specific strength and conditioning program can help to minimize the chances of such injuries. Strengthening the specific muscles, joints and tendons involved in golf-specific movements will help to stabilize the entire kinetic chain.

Emphasis should be on the development of the core muscles of the trunk and hips, both for purposes of stability and force transfer. While stability and balance between the trunk flexors, extensors and rotators all help to form an "armored corset" of protection around the spine, the force transfer qualities can also help enhance performance.

A strong core helps transmit the rotational forces developed in the legs and hips through the trunk and into the upper extremities which are holding the golf club. The forces are then communicated to the golf ball via the clubhead. Greater force transmission results in increased club head speed, which when combined with proper swing mechanics transfers to longer drives.

In addition, weight transfer and balance can play an important part in effective swing mechanics. Golf-specific balance training can help improve proprioceptive abilities and kinesthetic awareness.

Injury prevention, or "pre-hab", is not that different from conditioning for performance enhancement. The objectives are essentially the same for each: to allow the golfer the opportunity to perform at his best in an injury-free environment.

Adapted from:

Feeling up to Par: Medicine from Tee to Green, edited by C.N. Stover, 1994.

The Fitness Expert Activity Guide, edited by R. Lansky, 1992.