Development of body composition, lower body physical characteristics and clubhead speed in skilled junior golfers

The physical characteristics of golfers have a strong relationship with the clubhead speed (CHS), which is the main indicator of energy produced during a golf swing. However, perennial observations of development in CHS, physical characteristics, and body composition, and their long-term effects on CHS are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the lower body physical characteristics and body composition parameters and their relationship with clubhead speed during one and over a two-year period in junior golfers.

Nineteen skilled, male, junior golfers participated in this study.

A significant positive relationship (P<0.05) was found between improvement in CHS and increase in the body height (r=0.56), increase in peak power of the countermovement jump (r=0.55), and squat jump (r=0.52). A near-significant positive relationship was found between improvement in CHS and increases in the fat-free mass (r=0.42; P=0.06) and peak torque of the knee extensor at an angular velocity of 60° s^-1 (r=0.44; P=0.07).

Thus, we recommend that golf coaches work on muscle strengthening and conditioning with their players, focusing on: 1) the increase of the active muscle mass as opposed to the total body mass in relation to the acceleration of CHS; and 2) exercises to develop the muscle power (vertical jumping) and maximum lower limb strength (knee extension).