Abstract
In the sport of golf, there is no standard teaching method or swing technique even
though golf is known for overuse injuries. This prospective study was to analyze classic
swing kinematics in comparison with the Free-Release® method and to define a physiological golf swing. Two hundred eighty-three players,
age 50–59 years, were included in the study. For both swing techniques, examination
addressed swing visualization, center of pressure (COP), center of mass (COM), as
well as pelvic movement in relationship to different standing widths. The position
of the spine was evaluated in the frontal and lateral planes. Using the classic technique,
no golfer was able to describe his swing parameters, which would be necessary for
visualization and to tolerate physiological range of movement, whereas players using
the Free-Release method® were able to provide such a description. COP and COM showed pathological swing mechanics
for the classic technique, whereas for the Free-Release method mechanics were physiological.
We conclude that to prevent lumbar spine injury, the classic swinging technique, which
is characterized by lateral shear forces, static and dynamic pelvic side bending while
rotating with high force against the spine, and an unbalanced COM and COP, should
be substituted by the Free-Release technique as a new physiological guideline.
Key words
golf injuries - low back pain - swing kinematics - core balance - method of movement
