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Golf and spinal stability by William McAllister IIST
One of the most popular pastimes in our modern age is the sport of golf. Its roots beginning in Scotland in the mid 15th century with the earliest known reference coming from King James 11 who issued a ban on the games as evidently it was keeping his archers from practicing!
Successive Kings also issued bans on the game, quite possibly for the same reason.
The forces exerted during the classic golfers’ swing, are from an anatomical and physiological point of view, immense, and if the player has any weakness musculoskeletally this will rapidly show itself in back pain. Wrists, elbows, shoulders and knees are all put under pressure in the sport and need to be stable and capable of resisting and supporting the rigours of the modern game of golf.
When I assess a golfer either in my capacity as a Personal Trainer or a Sports Therapist or both, I question the participant on his/her routine before any golf actually takes place. I also find out what, if any, effective warm up is done, This should be in the form of a light, short aerobic session followed by a comprehensive mobility and stretching routine which can be done in a surprisingly short space of time. The benefits to the golfer can be immeasurable both in the short and long term.
Depending on any problems a client presents themselves to me with, I plan and implement a safe, effective and progressive exercise programme which is totally specific to the individual. Within this programming is a great emphasis on ‘core stability’ maximizing support for the muscular and skeletal system employing methods that are used by physiotherapists and osteopaths worldwide.
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