Abstract
Golf has traditionally been viewed as primarily a skill-based sport, however, the emphasis has now shifted to also focus on physiological attributes such as flexibility, balance, strength and power, which are all essential to execute an effective swing. Inadequate flexibility affects ball speed and distance, while excessive flexibility can cause instability and overuse injuries. This study aimed to establish normative ROM values for the hip joint and thoracolumbar spine in male and female right-handed competitive South African golfers. A quantitative research design including descriptive and comparative statistics was employed. The methodology involved comparing ROM values between the lead and trail legs, assessing the differences in values between male and female participants, and exploring potential correlations between mean ROM values. A battery of ROM tests was conducted with the EasyAngle device to assess the ROM of the hip joint and thoracolumbar spine in each golfer. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis was measured after which flexion and extension, rotation and lateral flexion of the thoracic and lumbar spine respectively was assessed. Hip internal and external range of motion was also assessed.
The results (n = 119) showed that female golfers (n = 21) exhibited significantly greater
ROM values in most measurements compared to male participants (n = 98), although males displayed higher values of left and right thoracic rotation than their female counterparts (males
left=29,89°±7,321° vs females left=36,59° ±9,841°, p = 0.004** and males right=31,43° ±7,749° vs females right=38,80° ±10.541°, p = 0.003**). Bilateral differences in the male group showed that male golfers had more right thoracic rotation compared to the left side (38,80° ±10,541° vs 36,59° ±9,841°, respectively; p = 0.024*) and more left hip internal rotation compared to the right side (25,48° ±7,122° vs 22,90° ±7,801°, respectively; p = 0.001**). Amongst the female participants, high positive correlations between left lumbar lateral flexion and right hip internal rotation (p = 0.007**; r = 0.566**) as well as between lumbar extension and right lumbar rotation ROM (p = 0.019; r = 0.509*) were found. Statistical negative correlations were found between left hip internal rotation ROM and left hip external rotation (p = -0.037*; r = -0.458*) as well as between left lumbar lateral flexion and right hip external rotation (p = -0.034*; r = 0.464*). For the male participants, results showed that there was strong evidence of an association between left hip internal rotation and left and right hip external rotation (p = 0.018*; r = 0.238*, p = 0.200*; r = 0.048*, respectively) and thoracic lateral flexion left (p = 0.006**, r = 0.278*). A high correlation also existed between left lumbar rotation and right lumbar lateral flexion (p = 0.036*, r = 0.212*).
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When integrated with 3D analysis screening, the study's reference norms and correlations can guide swing coaches and biokineticists when designing tailored training programmes that align with each player's specific flexibility. These findings can also aid in early injury risk detection and the implementation of proactive prehabilitation programmes.
Keywords: Competitive golfers, flexibility, ROM, biokineticists