Play Better Longer: Reducing Golf Related Injury
On the surface golf may look to be a slow paced low impact sport with little risk of injury. However, as many golfers have unfortunately discovered looks can be deceiving. The "Physician and Sports Medicine" Journal reports 57% to 67.5% of all golfers will sustain some type of golf related injury. Scientifically speaking our body was not designed to swing a golf club. During the swing strong compression, shear, and torsion force is produced placing our spine, joints and muscles at a relatively high risk for injury. The golf swing is an explosive movement that demands precise coordination of muscle contraction and relaxation, postural stability, strength, balance and body awareness. That is not to say we cannot swing a golf club without these elements. The body does a great job in compensating for weakness and faulty movement. However, there is a downside to this compensation. The downside is inconsistency, loss of power, and overuse of certain muscles which often leads to muscle and joint pain and injury. Many golfers spend hours upon hours practicing their swing with little or no time devoted to training their bodies. This type of golf preparation usually results in two things: 1. Inconsistency 2. Aches and pains So how does the golfer reduce their risk of injury? By establishing and maintaining core strength, muscle balance and flexibility by participating in a well developed integrated exercise program. Increased muscular efficiency and flexibility allow you to increase power and consistency while drastically reducing chances of pain and injury. Beware; all golf fitness programs are not created equal. There are many programs out there that are merely body building or general strength training routines masquerading as golf fitness programs. These programs generally focus on training specific muscles or muscle groups with little attention paid to movement. Lying flat on a bench and pushing weight off your chest or doing biceps curls that isolate one single joint movement will hardly translate to improved performance on the golf course. In fact, many of the standard "gym" exercises found in such programs further disrupt muscle balance and postural stability and can increase risk of injry. There are other golf fitness programs out there that claim to strengthen "golf muscles" by promoting exercises that mimic the golf swing. There are two problems with this approach to golf fitness. The first problem being; there are no specific "golf muscles". It takes virtually every muscle in the body working in precise concert to complete a golf swing. The second problem is; due to the repetition necessary to master the golf swing those targeted "golf muscles" are often already over developed and over tight in relation to the rest of the body. Performing exercises that mimic the golf swing prior to establishing a strong foundation and good muscle balance will only strengthen the imbalance and lead to further inconsistency and greater chance of injury. Look for a qualified strength and conditioning or fitness professional that has a solid understanding of not only exercise science and biomechanics, but also the physical demands of the golf swing. Increased muscular strength and efficiency will allow you to increase power and consistency while drastically reducing chances of pain and injury. Add a well developed integrated exercise routine into routine and you will not only be playing better, but you will feel better doing it. Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness ? Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book Play Better Longer! ? Peak Performance and Injury Prevention for Golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a National Strength and Conditioning Association ? Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance. http://www.LakeNormanFitness.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Shoulder Exercises To Improve Your Game
Your shoulder strength and flexibility are essential to producing an optimal swing off the tee. Adequate shoulder rotation is responsible for keeping the club in the desirable swing plane. Tightness of your external right shoulder rotation limits your follow through while tightness of your external left shoulder rotation creates restrictions in your backswing.
Senior Golfers Increase Swing Speed
It is widely known that with increased age comes a decrease in flexibility. This is why so many golf fitness programs emphasize stretching and increasing range of motion for senior golfers. It has also been well documented that senior golfers between the ages of 55 and 79 can increase their drive distance and enhance their overall golf performance by engaging in a safe and effective golf conditioning program.
3 Things You Must Check Before Buying Used Titlist Golf Clubs To Avoid Regrets
Used Titlist golf clubs are great golf clubs even if its used. They usually retain their quality longer. I also suggest that you get a used golf club set if you're a beginner so if you decide that this game is not for you. You wont burn as much cash as you if you bought new golf clubs.
The Psychology of a Confident Golf Swing Part 2
Here in England we are on the verge of the new football season and there is a large amount of transfer speculation and the like occurring. With football, we often find that the players who are doing well are confident. When they are having a great spell of the season, scored a lot of goals or something like that, their competence escalates as they feel more confidence. When their confidence is knocked, they might go through a bad spell and often their skills seem to be less available. My point here is that of self image and how we perceive ourselves. This is true with our golf swing also.
Golf Tips ? A Good Thinking Head Makes A Better Golfer
Golf is a wonderful game but we all want to improve a little bit more and for some a lot more. There can be many contributing factors as to why you find that you are not playing consistently every week or the fact that your handicap seems to be going up a notch instead of the reverse. We all need advice and starting with the basics that help even the lowest handicapper in the club.
Ice Golf - Could You Stay Cool When The Heat Is On?
Ice Golf - only the coolest need apply!
Which Golf Training Aids Improve Your Game?
When you think of golf training aids, a number of them probably come to mind. For putting, you can invest in a putting mat and cup. For your swing you can buy a self-correcting club, or one with a computerized swing analyzer. There are many magazines and videos on the market that tell you how to improve virtually every aspect of your game.
Golf Fore Success
Golf has a crazy way of telling who we truly are as a person. Many people judge us by the way we play the game. Everyone has a favorite quote they live by, whether in business or in their personal lives. Here are five humorous golf quotes that will get you thinking about what is really important in life as seen through the game of golf:
Are You Fully Committed to Playing Your Best Golf?
After taking golf lessons and/or attempting to make changes in one's swing, many players have a difficult time fully committing to executing the new swing on the golf course. There are a variety of reasons for this. Some are concerned because of a fear of hitting the ball in a "bad" place- into a hazard, bunker, OB, etc. Others don't swing the club with full commitment because of a lack of faith in their ability to swing it well, and instead end up trying to guide the ball.
Golf Flexibility For The Senior Golfer
Golf flexibility is the biggest term you hear when the senior golfer is complaining about lack of distance or a sore back.
Golf Humor Poetry:- Ode to the Fanatical Golfer (Part One)
He wanted golf to be experienced by all,
And hoped his daughter would heed the call.
"C'mon!", he said. "You'll have a ball!"
"Why?", she asked. "Are we going to the mall?"
The Most Common Backswing Flaw
One of the most confusing terms in golf instruction is "shoulder turn".
Personally, I believe that instructors that talk about shoulder turn to describe the amount of turn during the backswing are hurting their students.
What Does Annika Know About Exercise That You Don?t?
Think of your golf game. Visualize connecting with your drive and sinking your putt. Now think of exercise and how it relates to your golf game. Do you do a total body workout several times per week? Do you have a tailored fitness regimen that pays special attention to certain muscle groups? Do you even exercise at all?
Golf Information Overload?
You've come home from work dead tired. You grab the mail on your way in and notice your new copy of your favorite golfing magazine is in the pile. It puts a slight smile on your face as a picture of you on a couch with an adult beverage suddenly pops into your mind. After getting into your evening uniform (sweats and slippers) you make your way to your favorite reclining device with that drink and a snack in hand to make that vision on the couch a reality. You get all settled with the TV on for background and you finally enter the "Jell Zone" to enjoy that golf magazine and your well-deserved relaxation period.
Are You Fully Benefiting From Your Golf Swing Training Videos
The golf swing is so central and so important to the game of golf that any improvement tips and especially golf swing training videos are greatly desired and valued by golfers everywhere.
Womens Golf Performance Is Directly Related To Strength
Womens golf is not much different than mens golf, but there is one issue that comes to mind with women golfers.
The Golf Training Exercises You Need To Improve Your Game Are Very Simple
Golf training and conditioning exercises are not as difficult as most people think they are.
Big Trouble
I have chosen four of what I feel are the most common trouble shots you may encounter at The Bridges Golf Club. And "Taking the Challenge" at the Bridges involves being prepared for trouble shots. It would be naive of me to think otherwise. Remember, every course has a little different layout and terrain so practice accordingly.
Golf Swing Training The Right Way
Golf swing training is a critical area in the improvement of any golfer's game. Yet not all golf swing training programs are the same. The truth of the matter is that there are some that are better and more effective than others.
Natural Golf Tips
Golf tips are often welcomed by the most avid of golfers. This article will suggest some natural golf tips. Natural golf tips will help you with the game mentally as well as physically.
|
