The Effect of Isolated Core Training on Selected Measures of Golf Swing Performance

Impact of Four Weeks of TOGU Training on Neuromuscular Control and Golf Swing Performance

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of a four-week training program combining TOGU (a functional training system and equipment) Balanza and Dynair® Ballkissen equipment on core strength, balance ability, and golf swing performance in golf athletes.

METHODS

The TOGU group participated in TOGU training three times weekly and regular golf skill training over four weeks. The control group only participated in regular golf skill training. The functional movement screening (FMS) assessment system modified the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), and Unilateral Stance Tests (USTs) were used to assess neuromuscular control. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and utilized the independent samples t-test and the paired t-test for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

(1) Following the four-week training, there was significant improvement of the TOGU group in the total score of FMS, notably in squats and in-line lunges (p < 0.05). (2) Significant reductions in COG sway velocity were observed: Foam-EO (-30.9%, p < 0.01) Firm-EC (-35.18%, p < 0.05) and Foam-EC (-36.78%, p < 0.001). UST also improved: L-EO (-34.39%, p < 0.001), L-EC (-29.92%, p < 0.001), R-EO (-48.67%, p < 0.01), and R-EC (-39.38%, p = 0.0857). (3) Club head speed (CHS) tests indicated significant enhancement (p < 0.01), improved ball speed (p < 0.001), driving distance (p = 0.0553), and hitting efficiency (p < 0.01). The control group showed no significant changes in all tests after four weeks of regular golf skill training.

CONCLUSIONS

A TOGU-based golf core training program can significantly improve a golfers' neuromuscular control, core stability, and coordination, and enhance their swing performance.

Effect of core strength training on the badminton player's performance: A systematic review & meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Core strength training (CST) has been shown to improve performance in several sports disciplines. CST is recognized as one of the crucial elements that enhance athletic performance, particularly impacting badminton skills. Despite its popularity as a strength training method among badminton players, there is a lack of comprehensive studies examining the effectiveness of CST on the performance of these athletes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to ascertain CST's effects on badminton players' performance.

METHOD

This study followed PRISMA principles and conducted comprehensive searches in well-known academic databases (SCOPUS, Pubmed, CNKI, Web of Science, Core Collection, and EBSCOhost) up to August 2023. The inclusive criteria were established using the PICOS framework. Following their inclusion based on PICOS criteria, the selected studies underwent literature review and meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the assessments was evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tools bias risk tools and recommendations for a graded assessment, development, and evaluation.

RESULTS

The analysis included participants aged 10-19 years from 13 studies of moderate quality, totaling 208 individuals. The CST intervention s lasted between 4 to 16 weeks, with a frequency of 1 to 4 sessions per week and each session lasting 20 to 120 minutes. Sample sizes across these studies ranged from 8 to 34 participants. According to the meta-analysis, CST significantly influenced badminton performance, particularly in areas of explosive power (ES = 0.03 P = 0.04), front-court skill (ES = 2.53, P = 0.003), and back-court skill (ES = 2.33, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

CST enhances badminton players' fitness (strength, power, balance, and stability), in situ (front/back-court) skills, and movement position hitting. However, its effects on speed, endurance, agility, flexibility, and coordination are unclear, revealing a research gap. The precise benefits of CST, especially on flexibility and specific hitting skills (smashes, clears, drives, net shots, crosscourt, push, and lift shots), need more investigation. Additionally, research on CST's impact on female athletes is significantly lacking.

Effects of two-step golf swing drills on rhythm and clubhead speed in competitive juniors

Vertical and horizontal rhythms are crucial aspects of a dynamic golf swing, and the two-step swing drills (TSSD) were specifically designed to promote rhythmic unloading and loading of the legs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a TSSD training session on the swing rhythm and clubhead speed (CHS) among competitive junior golfers (3.1 ± 4.4 hcp). The driver swings (7 swings each) of 10 competitive junior golfers (aged 15-18) were captured before and after a TSSD session consisting of four stages (lasting less than 45 minutes). Post-TSSD training, there were significant increases in CHS (p < .001), maximum unweighting (p = .006), the trail-side push (p = .009), the horizontal motion ranges of the body and pelvis (p = .005-.031), the upward/downward motion range of the body in the backswing (p = .042/.024), and the backswing/downswing angular velocity peaks of the axle-chain system (p < .033). The stepping-like leg actions primarily facilitated horizontal motion rhythm over vertical motion and unweighting over push in terms of ground interaction. These findings suggest that TSSD can serve as an effective method for developing a rhythmic and dynamic motion pattern while increasing CHS.

Within- and Between-Session Reliability of Golf Swing Variables Using the TrackMan Launch Monitor in Talented Golfers

ABSTRACT

Shaw, J, Gould, ZI, Oliver, JL, and Lloyd, RS. Within- and between-session reliability of golf swing variables using the TrackMan launch monitor in talented golfers. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2431-2437, 2023-The purpose of the current study was to establish the within- and between-session reliability of the TrackMan launch monitor to measure golf swing variables. Twenty-one golfers attended 2 test sessions, with data captured from 3 golf shots using a 6-iron and 3 using a driver. Club head speed (CHS), ball speed, smash factor, attack angle, club path, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, carry distance, and total distance were determined from data collected using a TrackMan launch monitor. Within- and between-session reliability for each variable was calculated using repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and coefficients of variation (CVs) with 95% confidence intervals. Within-session measures of CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and total distance were found to be reliable for both 6-iron and driver (CV ≤ 5.8, ICC ≥ 0.87) and launch angle for the 6-iron (CV = 6.7-9.3%, ICC = 0.87-0.92). Between-session measures of CHS, ball speed, smash factor, launch angle, carry distance, and total distance for both 6-iron and driver (CV% = 0.7-9.1%, ICC = 0.5-0.99) and spin rate for 6-iron (CV% = 9.4%, ICC = 0.89) were also shown to be reliable. These findings indicate that the TrackMan launch monitor is a reliable method for measuring CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and total distance in talented golfers, both within and between sessions. Practitioners can confidently use these variables to assess golf swing performance in golfers and evaluate meaningful changes in response to training interventions.

Effects of Core Training on Sport-Specific Performance of Athletes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Improving athletes' performance is a major topic of interest in studies on competitive sports. Core training has been used as a training method in daily life and rehabilitation, and recently, in competitive sports, with positive results. Previous experimental studies showed that core training can improve the fitness level of athletes (e.g., balance, core stability, etc.), but offer no consistent conclusions on whether it can improve sport-specific performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of core training on the sport-specific performance of athletes through a meta-analysis. Relevant studies on randomized controlled trials were selected, and we calculated the effect size using standardized mean difference values and the random effects model. Results showed that core training had almost no effect on athletes' power and speed, while agility showed a medium effect size but no statistical significance. On the other hand, there was a large effect on general athletic performance, such as core endurance and balance. Consequently, core training had a great effect on the core endurance and balance of athletes, but little effect on sport-specific performance. This result implies that more elaborate core training programs should be designed to improve the sport-specific performance of athletes.

Test-Retest Reliability of Task Performance for Golf Swings of Medium- to High-Handicap Players

Background: Golf swing performance in medium- to high-handicap players must be reliably measured to use this variable in both research studies and in applied settings. Nevertheless, there are no studies published on this topic and test−retest evidence is only available for low-handicap players. The aim of this study was to determine the number of attempts necessary to obtain a reliable measurement protocol for swing performance variables in medium- to high-handicap players. Methods: Ten amateur players (55.67 (13.64) years, 78.4 (11.4) kg, 1.75 (7.95) m) took part in a test−retest study in two experimental sessions one week apart. In each one, fifteen swings with a six iron and a driver were evaluated with a 3D Doppler tracking golf radar. Results: The results showed that variables related to side carry could not be reliably measured in medium- to high-handicap players in only fifteen trials (ICC < 0.26, SEM > 12.05 m and MDC > 33.41 m). The rest of the performance variables related to the club and ball trajectories could be reliably measured with a 3D Doppler radar with between seven and ten swings. Conclusions: At least seven swings are recommended for the driver and ten for the six iron to measure golf swing performance.

Effect of Core Training on Skill Performance Among Athletes: A Systematic Review

Background: This study aims to present a critical review of the existing literature on the effect of core training on athletes’ skill performance, and to provide recommendations and suggest future research directions for both coaches and researchers.

Methods: The data in this study were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. We collected studies in the literature using prominent academic and scientific databases such as Ebscohost, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Only 16 of the 119 studies met all of the inclusion criteria, and were thus included in the systematic review. Each study’s quality was determined using the PEDro scale. The scoring of 16 studies ranges from 2 to 5.

Results: Core training could potentially improve skill performance among football, handball, basketball, swimming, dancing, Karate, Muay Thai, gymnasts, volleyball, badminton, and golf players.

Conclusion: Compared with the traditional training methods, core training is a new strength training method. Strong core muscles function as hubs in the biological motor chain, which create a fulcrum for the four limbs’ strength and establish a channel for the cohesion, transmission, and integration of the upper and lower limbs. In other words, core training optimizes the transfer and overall control of motion and force to the terminal segment within athletic actions. Meanwhile, core training could increase stability and stiffness in the spine to reduce unrequired “energy leaks” and torso movement during the exertion of external loads. This mechanism could help athletes achieve better skill performance. Therefore, this review suggests that core training should be considered integrated into athletes’ daily training routines.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/], identifier [INPLASY2021100013].

The Relationship Between Functional Movement, Dynamic Stability, and Athletic Performance Assessments in Baseball and Softball Athletes

ABSTRACT

Stapleton, DT, Boergers, RJ, Rodriguez, J, Green, G, Johnson, K, Williams, P, Leelum, N, Jackson, L, and Vallorosi, J. The relationship between functional movement, dynamic stability, and athletic performance assessments in baseball and softball athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S42-S50, 2021-Despite recent popularity, the relationship between movement quality and measures of athletic performance remains inconclusive. This investigation sought to clarify the relationships between measures of movement quality and measures of athletic performance in baseball and softball athletes. Thirty-eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball (n = 23; age 20.00 ± 1.38 years, lower-extremity [LE] limb length 93.91 ± 4.37, upper-extremity [UE] limb length 92.37 ± 4.48) and softball (n = 15; age 19.93 ± 1.28 years, LE limb length 89.43 ± 4.67, UE limb length 84.61 ± 4.39) athletes completed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y Balance Test for the lower and upper extremities (YBTLQ and YBTUQ, respectively). Performance assessments were proagility (PA), vertical jump (VJ), and rotational medicine ball throw to the right and left (RMTR and RMTL, respectively). No significant correlations were seen between any of the composite scores of movement quality and athletic performance in baseball athletes; shoulder mobility was weakly correlated with PA (rs = 0.442, p = 0.035). Composite FMS was negatively correlated with RMTR (rs = -0.753) in softball athletes. In addition, in softball athletes, RMTR was negatively correlated with in-line lunge (rs = -0.544, p = 0.04), trunk stability push-up (rs = -0.761, p = 0.002), anterior YBTLQ reach (r = -0.628), and posterolateral YBTLQ reach (r = -0.683); VJ was correlated with posterolateral YBTLQ reach (r = 0.531) and superolateral (SL) YBTUQ reach (r = 0.591), and PA was negatively correlated with posterolateral YBTLQ (r = -0.60) and SL YBTUQ reach (r = -0.557). The differences in correlations of movement quality and athletic performance between baseball and softball athletes suggest movement quality influences performance differently in female athletes and male athletes.

Effects of Resistance Training Methods on Golf Clubhead Speed and Hitting Distance: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Uthoff, A, Sommerfield, LM, and Pichardo, AW. Effects of resistance training methods on golf clubhead speed and hitting distance: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2651-2660, 2021-Resistance training is widely regarded within the golfing community to improve golf performance by increasing clubhead speed (CHS) and drive distance and can be classified into 3 categories: nonspecific, specific, and combined. However, it is currently unclear which resistance training methods are most effective in improving predictors of golf performance. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to compare the effectiveness of nonspecific, specific, and combined strength training methods on CHS and drive distance. A systematic search strategy was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify eligible articles through PubMed, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE (EBSCO), and Google Scholar. The searches identified 4,557 potentially relevant results, with 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Thirteen studies investigated nonspecific resistance training, one study investigated specific resistance training, and 7 studies investigated combined resistance training. Collectively, resistance training positively impacts golf CHS and hitting distance, but adaptations vary depending on the type and intensity of training, as well as subject's characteristics. Using a combination of nonspecific and golf-specific training (average increase of 4.1% CHS and 5.2% hitting distance) seems to enhance golf performance more than nonspecific strength training (average increase of 1.6% CHS and 4.8% hitting distance). Eight-week programs including golf-specific movements at high velocities for 3 to 4 sets of 5 to 15 repetitions are the most effective in increasing CHS and hitting distance. Future research investigating how golf-specific training influences CHS and hitting distance in various subgroups may provide further insight regarding prescription of this training type.

Rehabilitation of Soft Tissue Injuries of the Hip and Pelvis

The athlete's hip is complex when it comes to the surrounding musculature-approximately 21 different muscles can cross the hip and pelvis region, all synchronously working to maintain pelvic stability and functional hip activities. Commonly injured muscle groups for high-level athletes include flexors, adductors, abductors, and/or proximal hamstring musculotendinous complex. These muscle groups work in harmony; however, each has an independent function and propensity for injury. Rehabilitation phases for each injury group can be broken down into 3 phases: acute management, strengthening, and return-to-sport or return-to-competition phase. Specific rehabilitation principles and modalities are described for each injury group.

The effects of strength and conditioning interventions on golf performance: A systematic review

There is a growing body of literature on strength and conditioning (S&C) interventions for golfers of various skill levels. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of S&C interventions on measures of golf performance (clubhead speed, ball speed, distance, etc.). Three databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched and twenty-five studies identified that evaluated the effects of a S&C intervention on at least one golf performance measure compared to a control or comparison group. Most studies used combinations of strength training, plyometrics, stretching or core exercise, with many finding a benefit. Though it varied across studies and outcomes, average increases in clubhead speed, ball speed and distance measures were 4-6.4% when significant findings were synthesized. Four studies also found significant changes to golf swing kinematics, while three others found positive effects on measures of accuracy or consistency. Future research should compare different S&C interventions, explore the role of training status, skill level and intervention duration on the effects of S&C interventions, and report individual responses in addition to group data. Further, research should continue to evaluate effects on swing kinematics, accuracy and direct golf performance measures (e.g., handicap index).

Physical Determinants of Golf Swing Performance: A Review

Sheehan, WB, Bower, RG, and Watsford, ML. Physical determinants of golf swing performance: A review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-Traditionally, golf practice has primarily focused on the mental, technical, and skill aspects as the primary means to improve performance. Only recently has a greater emphasis been placed on the physical components with balance, muscular strength, power, and specific muscle-tendon properties demonstrating positive associations with club head speed and carry distance. Accordingly, this review will explore the influence of these physical components on measures of golf swing performance. Superior balance may allow players to effectively deal with the need to shift weight during the swing as well as different stance positions, whereas superior lower-body muscular strength, power, and stiffness may allow more mechanical work to be performed on the club during the swing per unit of time, consequently increasing club head speed. Alternatively, flexibility may also contribute to enhanced force production with a greater range of motion, particularly when generating the "X-factor," allowing for a longer backswing and more time to produce higher angular velocities and forces. Furthermore, training intervention studies focusing on the aforementioned components have demonstrated enhancements in swing performance. Targeting multiple muscle groups, including those implicated via electromyography activation, and utilizing multiple modalities have proven effective at increasing club head speed. However, such multifaceted programs have made it difficult to determine the mechanisms that specifically contribute to performance gains. Despite these limitations, strength, power, and musculotendinous stiffness, particularly in the lower body, seem to be stronger determinants of club head speed and carry distance than flexibility. Furthermore, acute improvements can be induced using resistance-orientated warm-ups.

Improving performance in golf: current research and implications from a clinical perspective

Golf, a global sport enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, involves relatively long periods of low intensity exercise interspersed with short bursts of high intensity activity. To meet the physical demands of full swing shots and the mental and physical demands of putting and walking the course, it is frequently recommended that golfers undertake golf-specific exercise programs. Biomechanics, motor learning, and motor control research has increased the understanding of the physical requirements of the game, and using this knowledge, exercise programs aimed at improving golf performance have been developed. However, while it is generally accepted that an exercise program can improve a golfer's physical measurements and some golf performance variables, translating the findings from research into clinical practice to optimise an individual golfer's performance remains challenging. This paper discusses how biomechanical and motor control research has informed current practice and discusses how emerging sophisticated tools and research designs may better assist golfers improve their performance.