Abstract
BackgroundIt has previously been shown that isotonic strength training can improve driver performance among golfers, though few studies have investigated effects of strength training on swing kinematics together with driver performance. In this study we investigated whether isokinetic rotational training could improve driver performance and swing kinematic variables amongst elite golfers.MethodsTwenty competitive pre-elite golfers (handicap better than −3.0), 13 men and 7 women, were split into two groups, one group received the isokinetic power training (IK) alongside their normal isotonic pre-season strength-training and the other group continued with their normal isotonic pre-season strength-training regime (IT). The IK group completed 12 sessions of isokinetic power training on a standing rotation exercise (10% body weight at 1 m/s) and barbell squat (25 kg plus 10% body weight at 0.5 m/s). The IT group continued with their normal isotonic pre-season strength-training regime. Participants were tested for rotational power, lower body power, golf swing kinematics, and driver performance before and after a nine-week training period.ResultsAfter the nine-week training period both the IK and the IT groups increased their dominant side rotational force and power (effect sizes between 0.50–0.96) and magnitude based inference indicated that IK had a likely (> 80%) more beneficial increase in dominant side rotational force and power. For swing kinematics, IK had a likely (> 80%) more beneficial improvement in lead arm speed and acceleration compared to the IT group. For driver performance, IK had a possible (65%) beneficial effect on ball speed and likely (78%) beneficial effect on carry distance when compared to IT, whereas neither of the groups improved club head speed.ConclusionIn the present study on pre-elite golfers we found that 9 weeks of isokinetic training increased seated rotational force and power, peak arm speed and arm acceleration, ball speed, and carry distance more compared to isotonic training. Even though isokinetic training did not increase CHS, it did result in greater carry distance.
Highlights
It has previously been shown that isotonic strength training can improve driver performance among golfers, though few studies have investigated effects of strength training on swing kinematics together with driver performance
7% Unlikely beneficial effect on ball speed when compared to isotonic pre-season strength-training regime (IT) and a medium (ESb = 0.59) likely (78%) more beneficial effect on carry distance when compared to IT (Fig. 1d, Table 7)
The larger improvements seen with isokinetic training in rotational power and utilisation of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) characteristics translated into a higher ball speed, but not into higher club head speed (CHS), when compared to isotonic strength training
Summary
It has previously been shown that isotonic strength training can improve driver performance among golfers, though few studies have investigated effects of strength training on swing kinematics together with driver performance. In this study we investigated whether isokinetic rotational training could improve driver performance and swing kinematic variables amongst elite golfers. Most research investigating driving performance in golf report a strong correlation between club head speed (CHS), initial ball velocity and carry (striking distance from impact to landing, excluding roll) [6, 7]. Recent research [8] reports kinematics, segmental sequence of action, and power output as other important factors impacting on driving performance. Many golfers incorporate strength and power training into their training schedule in order to positively influence their swing kinematics. There is a paucity of research into these training strategies and a better understanding of how muscular strength and power training
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