GOLF #102
If only you could be more conscious of your golf swing you could avoid injury!!!!!
There are various areas of the body that are engaged during the golf swing. Each area should be trained and evaluated for flexibility and/or strength. The most common injuries are associated with the phases of the golf swing. Obviously there are differences between professional and amateur golfers as well as male vs. female players. Females have a higher frequency of upper body injuries; however, males tend to injure the back more frequently. Players with a lower handicap (1 to 9) and over the age of 50 years old display a higher prevalence of injury.
(Theriault/LaChance Sports Med.).
There are various areas of the body that are engaged during the golf swing. Each area should be trained and evaluated for flexibility and/or strength. The most common injuries are associated with the phases of the golf swing. Obviously there are differences between professional and amateur golfers as well as male vs. female players. Females have a higher frequency of upper body injuries; however, males tend to injure the back more frequently. Players with a lower handicap (1 to 9) and over the age of 50 years old display a higher prevalence of injury.
(Theriault/LaChance Sports Med.).
Examining the phases of the golf swing
IMPROPER STANCE POSSIBLE INJURY
TAKE-AWAY
Low back bending instead of the hip flexion Spinal instability & abnormal muscle tension
Too wide of a stance Reduces trunk rotation leads to spinal strain
Locked elbows Increase grip &muscle tension; elbow/wrist injuries
Long backswing Over rotation, left thumb & right wrist injury
Excess lift of the left arm & shoulder Nerve impingement as well as rotator cuff injuries.
FORWARD SWING**
Trunk rotation Thoracic & abdominal muscle strain
Forward weight shift Exacerbates preexisting hip or knee injuries
ACCELERATION & IMPACT
Tight grip or overextended elbows Lateral or medial inflammation of elbow joint
Excess wrist flexion or extension or Wrist/hand injury & possible fracture
hitting the ground
FOLLOW THROUGH
Excess low back rotation Low back muscle strain & possible disc injury
instead of hip rotation
Weak shoulder rotation Scapular muscle fatigue or internal impingement
**(Combined with acceleration result in the largest number of injuries)
So now that you are aware of all of these potential contributory factors, will you alter your swing?
Next week-the specific muscles that can be injured and what we can do to help eliminate your pain.
IMPROPER STANCE POSSIBLE INJURY
TAKE-AWAY
Low back bending instead of the hip flexion Spinal instability & abnormal muscle tension
Too wide of a stance Reduces trunk rotation leads to spinal strain
Locked elbows Increase grip &muscle tension; elbow/wrist injuries
Long backswing Over rotation, left thumb & right wrist injury
Excess lift of the left arm & shoulder Nerve impingement as well as rotator cuff injuries.
FORWARD SWING**
Trunk rotation Thoracic & abdominal muscle strain
Forward weight shift Exacerbates preexisting hip or knee injuries
ACCELERATION & IMPACT
Tight grip or overextended elbows Lateral or medial inflammation of elbow joint
Excess wrist flexion or extension or Wrist/hand injury & possible fracture
hitting the ground
FOLLOW THROUGH
Excess low back rotation Low back muscle strain & possible disc injury
instead of hip rotation
Weak shoulder rotation Scapular muscle fatigue or internal impingement
**(Combined with acceleration result in the largest number of injuries)
So now that you are aware of all of these potential contributory factors, will you alter your swing?
Next week-the specific muscles that can be injured and what we can do to help eliminate your pain.
