Changes in strength and jump performance over a 10 week competitive period in male collegiate golfers

Abstract

As with most structured training programs to enhance performance, a reduction in resistance training volume is seen during competitive periods and an emphasis is placed on technical and tactical training. For that reason, it is important to know where priorities should be placed during times of reduced physical preparation training and if the sport itself allows for the maintenance of neuromuscular qualities.Objective: Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to examine changes in strength and jump testing over a competitive period of 10 weeks.Methods: 11 male NCAA Division I completed this investigation. Each participant was tested before and after the competitive fall season. Testing consisted of countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull. Paired samples t-tests were used to determine if statistical differences were present between testing sessions.Results: Significant increases in jump height (p = 0.002) and RSIm (p = 0.013) were seen in the post competitive season jump testing. Force at each time epoch was significantly reduced from pre to post-testing (p < 0.001 at each time epoch). Conclusion:Performing countless repetitions of the golf swing during the competitive season provided a stimulus sufficient to maintain dynamic task performance. The results of this investigation point to the need for practitioners to take a complete examination of variables when analyzing performance testing. When taking into account the entirety of the test, reductions in force at task-relevant time epochs would lead to more precise programming to address needs.

Effects of Physical Training and Associations Between Physical Performance Characteristics and Golf Performance in Female Players: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

“…Third, future studies should consider undertaking some individual data analyses, given golf is an individual sport, which has been performed in a recent publication in golf (14). Unsurprisingly, sample sizes in golf studies are often small, which is likely to result in them being underpowered.…”

Examination of Countermovement Jump Performance Changes in Collegiate Female Volleyball in Fatigued Conditions

“…Additionally, single-subject analyses were performed on each variable of interest to determine if the changes seen were outside the individual variability exhibited during the pretest. Variability was assessed using pretest CV values [ 22 ].…”

Seasonal Change in Countermovement Jump Performance in NCAA Women’s Golfers

“…During periods in which collegiate golfers are competing, physical preparation commonly becomes less of a priority as sport-specific training increases. Recently, Donahue et al (Donahue, Peel, Shelby A, et al, 2022) showed that during a 10-week competitive period, male collegiate golfers maintained or improved vertical jump performance, while reductions were present in isometric midthigh pull values. Interestingly, a single-subject analysis was also completed with this investigation and showed that group mean changes did not match individual changes, as several individuals saw reductions in vertical jump performance that were masked by others who saw improvement (Donahue, Peel, Shelby A, et al, 2022).…”

“…Recently, Donahue et al (Donahue, Peel, Shelby A, et al, 2022) showed that during a 10-week competitive period, male collegiate golfers maintained or improved vertical jump performance, while reductions were present in isometric midthigh pull values. Interestingly, a single-subject analysis was also completed with this investigation and showed that group mean changes did not match individual changes, as several individuals saw reductions in vertical jump performance that were masked by others who saw improvement (Donahue, Peel, Shelby A, et al, 2022). In female golfers, only one study investigated the association between CHS and vertical jump performance (Coughlan et al, 2020).…”

“…As the association between physical performance and CHS has been established, it is important to understand the change in physical performance parameters throughout a competitive season. While previous investigations in other sports have used investigated the change in CMJ performance over a season, only one study has examined changes in CMJ performance over a season within a sample of golfers ( (Donahue, Peel, Shelby A, et al, 2022;Emmonds et al, 2020;Gathercole et al, 2015;González-Ravé et al, 2011;Hoffman et al, 2003). It has been suggested that strength and conditioning practitioners working with golf athletes use the CMJ to assess physical performance during a competitive season and when doing so, it is suggested that a force platform is used (Bishop, Brennan, et al, 2022).…”