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EFFECTS OF DYNAMIC STRETCHING ON GOLF PERFORMANCE AND FATIGUE

Abstract

Golf is an increasingly popular and accessible sport, however, . 40% to 60% of players experience an overuse injury. As a result, golfers seek ways to increase performance and limit injury. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a dynamic stretching routine on performance and fatigue during a simulated 9-hole round of golf. METHODS: Nine amateur male golfers (20.55 ± 1.24 yr) and four NCAA Division I male golfers (20.5 ± 0.58 yr) played in two simulated 9-hole rounds of golf. The control trial required 36 shots (1 drive and three 5-iron shots for each of 9 holes).. The intervention round added a dynamic stretching routine performed at the beginning of the round, and following the third and sixth hole. EMG data from the pectoralis major (PM), abdominal external oblique (EO), and biceps femoris (BF) were collected from the amateur golfers as well as ball speed (BS). The outcome measures of distance from target (DFT), club head speed (CHS), BS, and smash factor (SF) were collected for all members of the golf team. All subjects reported ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) after each trial. Two-tailed, paired t-tests were used to evaluate for significant differences (α = 0.05) between control and intervention trials. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the two rounds for the amateur golfers in the percent change of peak muscle activation for intervention vs. control for PM (1.5% ±10.7%, p = 0.68), EO (4.6% ± 12.5%, p = 0.71) and BF (1.5% ±10.7% p = 0.60). Similarly, no statistical significance was found between the control and intervention trials for SF, BS, and DFT for each member of the golf team. Despite little differences between the control and intervention rounds for the golf team, RPE was found to be significantly higher in the intervention round than the control (p =0.04), but this increase in exertion did not affect performance variables. CONCLUSION: A dynamic stretching routine performed throughout a round of golf has no influence on performance, or detrimental effects due to fatigue. With it being proposed that pre-exercise dynamic stretching may decrease the risk of injury, this protocol may also prove to reduce the risk of injury during golf.

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