A Dynamic Warm-Up Improves Titleist Performance Institute Screen Scores in Adult Golfers

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Movement assessments often omit warm-ups, despite their role in preparing athletes for physical demands.
• Evaluating biomechanics post-warm-up may better reflect an athlete's actual physical capabilities.
• Dynamic warm-ups are standard practice before athletic participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) screening scores in adult golfers before and after a dynamic warm-up.
• To investigate the effect of warm-up on golf-specific movement assessments.

Main Methods:

• A crossover laboratory study involving 24 adult golfers.
• Participants completed the 15-test TPI screen twice: once before and once after a dynamic warm-up protocol.
• The warm-up included dynamic exercises and practice golf swings; scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Main Results:

• TPI composite scores were significantly higher after the warm-up (median 36) compared to before (median 33) (P < .001).
• A large effect size (r = .81) indicated a substantial impact of the warm-up on TPI scores.
• Individual test scores also showed improvements post-warm-up.

Conclusions:

• A dynamic warm-up enhances performance on the TPI screening tool in adult golfers.
• The warm-up status of an athlete is an important factor to consider when interpreting TPI screen results.
• Findings suggest incorporating warm-up protocols into movement assessments for more accurate biomechanical evaluation.