A Study to Investigate Whether Golfers with a History of Low Back Pain Show a Reduced Endurance of Transversus Abdominis

Abstract

Recently published evidence has shown an increasing number of golfers reporting the presence of low back pain (LBP). Research has shown the occurrence and recurrence of LBP to be associated with the dysfunction of the deep abdominal muscle, transversus abdominis (TrA). To investigate the reduction in its stabilising role, the pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) was developed as an objective assessment and monitoring tool. This instrument is also used in the rehabilitation of TrA.Twenty male golfers, age 20-44, were recruited by newsletter article and direct approach to see whether golfers with a history of LBP showed a reduced muscle endurance time of TrA compared with golfers with no such history.Subjects were taught TrA contraction in prone kneeling and in prone lying using the PBU. Using a cycle of 10 seconds contraction followed by 20 seconds rest, the total time each subject could maintain a TrA contraction was measured.The results showed that golfers with a history of LBP had a statistically significant reduction (p<0.025) in the endurance of the static contraction time of TrA compared to golfers without a history of LBP.The results are discussed in relation to previous research, and the implications for clinicians for the rehabilitation of golfers with LBP are identified.