Transverse abdominis activity and ultrasound biofeedback in college golfers with and without low back pain.

OBJECTIVES: To compare transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle activity in college golfers with and without a history of low back pain (LBP) and examine the effects of ultrasound biofeedback and a functional golf-setup position on TrA activity. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two (n = 32) collegiate golfers were stratified into either the LBP group (n = 16, 4.6 ± 4.5 LBP episodes) or non-LBP group (n = 16, 0.1 ± 0.3 LBP episodes) based on LBP episodes in the last 6-months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasound measures of TrA activity were performed during standard contractions and contractions with ultrasound biofeedback. Contraction-type order was randomized between two visits. Testing was performed in two positions, supine and golf-setup positions. RESULTS: We observed no significant differences in TrA activity between the LBP and non-LBP groups. Overall, TrA activity was greater during biofeedback contractions compared to standard contractions, and TrA activity was lower in the golf-setup position compared to the supine position. CONCLUSIONS: We observed no differences in TrA activity between college golfers with and without LBP. College golfers with and without LBP demonstrated a greater ability to contract their TrA with real-time ultrasound biofeedback and a lower ability to contract their TrA in the functional golf-setup position compared to the traditional supine position.

Practice behaviors, attitudes, musculoskeletal complaints, and previous exposure to chiropractic care in a group of recreational golfers.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the practice behaviors, attitudes, musculoskeletal complaints, and previous exposure to chiropractic care in a group of recreational golfers. METHODS: A survey study was conducted on recreational golfers who were attending an annual golf show at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. Northwestern Health Sciences University established a booth at the annual golf show and recruited subjects from this site. Four hundred two subjects completed the survey form. Of the 402 subjects, 4 of 5 respondents were male and 90% are of working age, with 19 subjects younger than 20 years and 26 subjects older than 60 years. RESULTS: For almost 90% of subjects surveyed, golf is played at least 3 times per week, mostly for social interaction. Most subjects transport their own golf bags under their own power, and almost 90% wear spike golf shoes, most of the metal variety. Approximately half of the subjects reported having received chiropractic care in the past, and virtually all reported having positive experiences with the care they received. Many subjects reported musculoskeletal complaints that they commonly experienced, and 1 in 8 reported having been previously injured on the golf course. Half of the subjects exercise regularly to maintain a level of conditioning, and half expressed an interest in attending a specific golf fitness program. CONCLUSION: This study provides the health care provider with more knowledge about this group of golfers. Knowledge of the most common musculoskeletal complaints provides an opportunity to identify and subsequently address the associated risk factors.

Acupuncture for treatment of the yips?--a case report.

A 65 year old golfer with the yips was treated with acupuncture at GV20, EX-HN-1 (Si Shen Cong) and TE5. The symptoms disappeared after one treatment and no relapse has occurred in the 24 months' follow up. Although it cannot be determined whether the effect in this case occurred from neurological stimulation or was the result of expectation, acupuncture may be worth trying in patients with the yips since this condition is otherwise difficult to treat.

Hamate hook fracture in a 17-year-old golfer: importance of matching symptoms to clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the importance of correlating symptoms with objective clinical findings and appropriate diagnostic imaging in a patient with traumatic wrist pain. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 17-year-old golfer had persistent left wrist pain of 4 months' duration that began while playing golf. Approximately 1 week after injury, he was diagnosed with a scaphoid fracture and was splinted. He reported that his pain did not decrease with splinting or with subsequent physical therapy, and on dismissal from orthopedic care he could not use the wrist well enough to return to golf. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was found to have marked point tenderness at the hamate. Although plain-film radiography was negative, secondary computed tomography of the wrist showed a fracture to the hook of the hamate. A referral was made to an orthopedic surgeon and surgical excision of the hook of the hamate was recommended because of the failure of union at the fracture site. CONCLUSION: This case shows the significance of follow-up diagnostic imaging in a patient who does not respond as expected. In addition, it stresses the importance of the doctor of chiropractic in the diagnostic process, although the patient may have been treated and released by another physician.

The short golf backswing: effects on performance and spinal health implications.

BACKGROUND: Full recoil golf swings have been implicated in back pain and injury in golfers. Evidence suggests that a restricted backswing may reduce the potential for injury without compromising performance. OBJECTIVE: To examine both golf swing performance and selected muscular actions of the trunk and shoulder during a full recoil swing as compared with a modified short backswing. METHODS: Electromyographic (EMG) recordings were taken bilaterally from the lumbar, external oblique, latissimus dorsi, and right pectoral muscles in 7 golfers during a full recoil swing and a modified short backswing. High-speed videotape was used to measure back swing angle reduction. Clubhead velocity (CHV) and ball-contact accuracy were quantified by using a swing speed indicator and clubface contact tape, respectively. RESULTS: Shortening of the backswing by 46.5 degrees +/- 24.7 degrees had no effect on stroke accuracy as measured by mean deviation from the target spot on the club (19.0 +/- 7.8 mm vs 19.3 +/- 9.2 mm). CHV was not significantly reduced (33.9 +/- 2.5 m/s vs 31.2 +/- 2.2 m/s). However, EMG root-mean-square was decreased 19% in the right oblique muscle from 750 to 250 ms before impact (P < .05). During the acceleration phase, activation of left lumbar muscle decreased by 12%, whereas activation of right latissimus muscle increased by 21%. Although left lumbar muscle activity during the follow-through increased 14%, there was a substantial (17%) but nonsignificant decrease of activation of trunk muscles (P = .11). There was a general trend toward an increased activation of the shoulder musculature from 250 ms before impact to 500 ms after impact. CONCLUSION: These data support the idea that short backswings in golf may reduce trunk muscle activation and possibly reduce back injury and pain without negatively impacting swing accuracy or CHV. However, the short swing increases shoulder muscle activation and may, in turn, promote risk for shoulder injury.

Elbow injuries in golf.

Golf is not a sport known for its high injury level; however, injuries do occur. Such mishaps usually involve overuse-type injuries that are more common among amateur golfers than among professional golfers. This article attempts to provide an overview of golf injuries to the elbow, with a concentration on incidence, proper diagnosis, adequate treatment (including rehabilitation), and prevention strategies. After reading this article, primary care physicians should be able to manage most golfing injuries to the elbow.

Sports-specific injuries.

Injuries to the upper extremities can happen in any sport. Injury patterns are common to specific sports. Understanding which injuries occur with these sports allows the examiner to diagnose and treat the athlete easily. This article reviews some of the injuries common in sports such as bicycling, golf, gymnastics, martial arts, racquet sports, and weightlifting.