Prevalence and severity of lower back injuries in Australian professional golfers

Abstract

Introduction: The golf swing places unique musculoskeletal forces on the body generating considerable stress which may result in injuries for professional golfers. Research conducted on the US Men's and Women's Professional Golfers Association tours established that professionals sustain an average of two injuries per year with the lower back the most reported injury. The current study aims to investigate lower back injuries for male and female Australian professional golfers. Methodology: A Golf Injury Survey with severity classification was developed following analysis of tournament injuries reported on the Australasian Tour from 2004 to 2009.