Effect of Rehabilitation Exercise for Golfers on the X-factor and Ground Reaction Force according to Phase of the Golf Swing

Abstract

Background: Despite frequent shoulder injuries of rotator cuff muscle of golfers by the result of overuse and poor swing mechanics, there is little research on shoulder specific rehabilitation exercises for injured rotator cuff muscle and golf swing Objective: To examined the effect of rehabilitation exercise for golfers on the X factor and ground reaction force (GRF) according to phase of the golf swing. Design: Crossover study Methods: The participants were 13 amateur golfers selected for a 4 week rehabilitation exercise for golfers. A rehabilitation exercise for golfers consisting of 5 steps and 4 items (sleeper stretch, full side plank, push up to plank, high plank knee unders) were applied to all participants. A three dimensional motion analyzer and force platform (SMART-E, BTS, Italy) were used to measure the X factor (angle between shoulder and pelvis at top of back swing) and GRF according to phase of the golf swing. All dependent variables were measured before and after exercise. The collected data was analyzed using the paired t test and SPSS 21.0. Results: The GRF had a statistically significant increase in the impact phase and ratio impact/weight after rehabilitation exercise for golfers (p .05). Conclusions: These results suggested that rehabilitation exercise for golfers was effective for increasing GRF in the impact phase and ratio impact/weight for amateur golfer.