Reliability of cable downswing load-velocity performance in golf swings

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Analysis

Background:

• The cable-pulley downswing mimics the golf downswing motion.
• Reliable measurement tools are crucial for effective golf-specific diagnostics and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the test-retest reliability of the cable downswing.
• To evaluate its consistency across a range of load-velocities for golf applications.

Main Methods:

• Ten male participants performed maximal velocity cable downswings under eight incremental loads (1.25-18.75 kg).
• Vertical cable stack velocity was recorded using a linear position transducer at 50 Hz over three testing sessions.
• Data analysis included change in mean, coefficient of variation, and intra-class correlation.

Main Results:

• The cable downswing exhibited extremely high reliability across all tested loads (ICC: 0.70-0.98).
• Reliability generally improved with an increasing number of trials.
• Observed variability ranged from 1.5-6.4% (coefficient of variation).

Conclusions:

• The cable downswing is a reliable method for assessing rotational ability, comparable to the golf downswing.
• Establishing an appropriate upper load limit is recommended for practitioners.
• Further research should explore the utility and sensitivity of this measurement tool.