Tsai, Yung-Shen
(2005)
BIOMECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUNK AND HIP IN GOLFERS WITH AND WITHOUT LOW BACK PAIN.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Modified swing patterns and general exercises have been suggested for golfers with back problems. However, it is difficult to design a back-specific swing or exercise program for low back injury prevention and rehabilitation without knowing the differences in the kinematics and spinal loads of the golf swing and the physical characteristics associated with golfers with low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to examine the kinematics of the trunk and spinal loads in golfers with and without LBP and their trunk and hip physical characteristics. Sixteen male golfers with a history of LBP were matched by age and handicap to 16 male golfers with no history of LBP. All golfers underwent a biomechanical swing analysis and physical characteristics assessment. Kinematics and spinal loads of the trunk were assessed using a 3D motion analysis system and two force plates. A bottom-up inverse dynamics procedure was used to calculate the spinal loads at L5/S1. In addition, trunk and hip strength and flexibility, back proprioception, and postural stability were measured. The LBP golfers demonstrated less trunk and hip strength. The LBP group also had less hamstring and right torso rotation flexibility. In addition, the LBP group demonstrated back proprioception deficits significantly in trunk flexion. No significant differences were found for postural stability. The LBP group demonstrated less maximum angular displacement between shoulders and hips during the backswing. No significant differences were found in other trunk kinematics and spinal loads during the golf swing. Deficits in physical characteristics have been found in golfers with a history of LBP. These differences may hinder dissipation of the tremendous spinal forces and moments generated by the golf swing over time and also limit trunk rotation during the backswing. These conditions may lead to lower back muscle strain, ligament sprain, or disc degeneration. Although differences found in this study can not be determined as causes or results of low back injuries in golfers, clinicians may be able to design an appropriate back-specific exercise program for golfers to prevent or rehabilitate low back injury based on these findings.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
24 March 2005 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
1 March 2005 |
| Approval Date: |
24 March 2005 |
| Submission Date: |
22 March 2005 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Golf; Low Back Pain |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-03222005-081827/, etd-03222005-081827 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:32 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:37 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/6549 |
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