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Lumbar spinal loads and muscle activity during a golf swing
Young-Tae Lim1, John W Chow, Woen-Sik Chae
1Division of Sports Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea. ytlim@kku.ac.kr
Sports Biomechanics
|August 21, 2012
Summary
Golf swings generate significant lumbar spinal loads, with peak compressive forces exceeding six times body weight. Muscle activity, particularly in the back and abdomen, correlates with these high loads, especially during the downswing and follow-through.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Kinesiology
Background:
- The golf swing is a complex athletic movement.
- Understanding the biomechanical forces on the lumbar spine is crucial for injury prevention in golfers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate lumbar spinal loads at the L4-L5 level during a golf swing.
- To evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of key trunk muscles during the golf swing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D kinematics and kinetics from motion capture (four Super VHS camcorders) and force plates.
- Applied an EMG-assisted optimization model to calculate L4-L5 contact forces.
- Measured EMG activity in rectus abdominis, obliques, erector spinae, and latissimus dorsi muscles in five collegiate golfers.
Main Results:
- Peak compressive lumbar load reached over six times body weight (BW) during the downswing.
- Peak anterior and medial shear loads were approximately 1.6 BW and 0.6 BW during follow-through.
- Highest average EMG levels were observed during acceleration and follow-through phases, correlating with peak loads.
Conclusions:
- The golf swing imposes substantial loads on the lumbar spine.
- Co-contraction of paraspinal muscles during specific swing phases is likely associated with elevated lumbar spinal loads.
- Findings provide insights into the biomechanics of golf and potential injury mechanisms.
