FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT AND DYNAMIC BALANCE DISPARITIES AMONG VARYING SKILL LEVELS IN GOLFERS

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Kinesiology

Background:

• Sports medicine utilizes screening tests for athlete readiness and injury risk assessment.
• Limited research exists on fundamental movement and dynamic balance in golfers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in fundamental movement patterns and dynamic balance among golfers at various competitive levels.
• To establish baseline data for golf-specific performance metrics.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional cohort study involving middle school, high school, college, and professional golfers.
• Utilized the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ/UQ) to assess movement and balance.
• Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests with post-hoc comparisons and Effect Size Indices (ESI).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in FMS tests (push-up, active straight leg raise) were found between college and high school golfers.
• Professional golfers demonstrated significantly greater YBT-LQ posteromedial reaches compared to middle school golfers.
• Professional golfers exhibited superior YBT-UQ medial, inferolateral, and superolateral reaches, as well as composite scores, compared to lower competitive levels.

Conclusions:

• Golfer's fundamental movement patterns and dynamic balance vary significantly with competition level.
• These findings support the development of individualized training programs to optimize movement quality in golfers.