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Motor abundance and control structure in the golf swing
A Morrison1, D McGrath2, E S Wallace1
1Sport and Exercise Science Research Institute, Ulster University, UK.
Human Movement Science
|January 20, 2016
Summary
Higher skilled golfers utilize more variability in their golf swing, suggesting that mastering golf involves controlling the body's many degrees of freedom, not just technique. This study used uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics of human movement
- Motor control and learning
- Sports science and performance analysis
Background:
- Golf swing research often overlooks variability and control strategies.
- Understanding how golfers manage numerous degrees of freedom is crucial for skill development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate golf swing control using uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis.
- To compare variability and control in high-skilled versus intermediate-skilled golfers.
- To examine the management of clubhead orientation and location degrees of freedom.
Main Methods:
- Uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis was applied to golf swings.
- Calculated variance parallel (VUCM) and orthogonal (VOrth) to the UCM for clubhead orientation and location.
- Compared these metrics between high and intermediate skill golfers.
Main Results:
- Higher skilled golfers exhibited proportionally higher VUCM across outcome variables.
- Motor synergy was observed for clubhead orientation and combined outcomes, but not location.
- Clubhead location variance minimized at impact; orientation variance increased near impact.
- Both skill levels enhanced location control approaching impact; orientation control was higher in the early downswing.
Conclusions:
- Developing control over abundant degrees of freedom, rather than solely optimizing technique, may be key to achieving higher golf skill.
- Motor synergies play a role in specific aspects of golf swing control.
- Skill acquisition in golf involves dynamic adjustments in managing kinematic variability.
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