Increased trunk muscle recruitment during the golf swing is linked to developing lower back pain: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND

This is the first study that presents electromyographic measurements prior to the development of lower back pain in young elite golfers.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

METHODS

Thirty-three injury free elite golfers were included. Muscle activity from latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, external oblique and erector spinae muscles were recorded during 10 drive golf swings. Lower back pain, training and performance were monitored over a six-month period. Muscle activation comparisons were made between the baseline results of those who went on to develop lower back pain versus those who did not go on to develop lower back pain.

RESULTS

After the six-month monitoring period 17 participants developed lower back pain. The group that developed lower back pain had increased dominant rectus abdominis and dominant latissimus dorsi activation at various time points throughout the swing.

DISCUSSION

The increased dominant rectus abdominis and dominant latissimus dorsi during the golf swing is linked with developing lower back pain. Training strategies aimed at reducing these muscles activation during the swing may reduce the incidence of lower back pain in young elite male golfers.