Association of the Yips and Musculoskeletal Problems in Highly Skilled Golfers: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study in Japan

Abstract

The yips are a set of conditions associated with intermittent motor disturbances that affect precision movement, especially in sports. Specifically, skilled golfers suffer from the yips, although its clinical characteristics and pathophysiology have not been well-studied. We surveyed skilled golfers to characterize their yips-related symptoms, to explore potential confounding factors associated with the yips. Golfers’ demographic information, golfing-career-related history, musculoskeletal status and manifestations of the yips are surveyed. Among the 1576 questionnaires distributed, 1457 (92%) responses were received, of which 39% of golfers had experienced the yips. The median age and golfing careers were 48 and 28 years, respectively. Golfers who had experienced the yips were older and had longer golfing careers and more frequent musculoskeletal problems than those without experience of the yips. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a longer golfing career and musculoskeletal problems were independent factors associated with yips experience. More severe musculoskeletal problems were associated with higher odds of experiencing the yips. A positive association between the yips and musculoskeletal problems was also observed. The yips have similar characteristics to task-specific movement disorders, with a detrimental effect caused by excessive repetition of a routine task. These findings support the notion that the yips are a type of task-specific dystonia.

Sports-Related Dystonia

“…These two studies showed that yip was more prevalent in older and experienced golfers who often reported associated anxiety (‘choking’). In another questionnaire-based study with a better response rate (92%) than the aforementioned studies, 39% reported that they experienced yips sometime during their career [ 20 ]. Interestingly, a multivariate regression analysis suggested that in addition to a longer golf career, a history of musculoskeletal injuries was an independent risk factor for the emergence of yips.…”

Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injury in professional and amateur golfers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, golf has established risks, primarily related to musculoskeletal injury 5 6. Injury may not only cause physical pain and disability, but can impact engagement in the sport, which for professional golfers can result in reduced performance and loss of earnings 6 7. It has been hypothesised that due to the different biomechanics of professional golfers’ swings, the greater volume of play and practice, and the greater club head speeds observed in this population, their injury patterns and profiles will likely differ from amateur golfers 8–10.…”

Perception of yips among professional Japanese golfers: perspectives from a network modelled approach

“…Equipped with the above information, we analyzed a large-scale, cross-sectional survey among golfers in Japan, the groundwork formulated previously on amateur and highly skilled professional golfers 25 , to ascertain their demographic characteristics, golfing habits, their experience with yips and the kinematic issues associated with it. The objective of this self-reported survey was to explore factors associated with yips and assess how elite golfers in Japan perceive this psycho-neuromuscular phenomenon.…”