Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Golf Downswing in Individuals with and without a History of Knee Joint Injury

Abstract

Although prevention is better than treatment, after a knee injury occurs, the adjustment of the movement technique back to the posture before the injury and the restoration of accuracy is very important for professional and amateur players. This study aimed to compare the differences in lower limb mechanics during the golf downswing between those with and without a history of knee joint injury. A total of 20 professional golfers with single-digit handicaps were recruited for this study, 10 of whom had a knee injury history (KIH+), while another 10 players were without a knee injury history (KIH−). From the 3D analysis, selected kinematic and kinetic parameters during the downswing were analyzed using an independent samples t-test with a significance level of α = 0.05. During the downswing, individuals with KIH+ exhibited a smaller hip flexion angle, smaller ankle abduction angle, and larger ankle adduction/abduction range of motion (ROM). Moreover, there was no significant difference found in the knee joint moment. Athletes with a history of knee injury can adjust the motion angles of their hip and ankle joints (e.g., by avoiding excessive forward leaning of the trunk and maintaining stable foot posture without inward or outward rotation) to minimize the impact of changes in their movement patterns resulting from the injury.

Does Overhead Squat Performance Affect the Swing Kinematics and Lumbar Spine Loads during the Golf Downswing?

“…Compared to healthy golfers, those with LBP may generate more lateral bending accompanied by the flexion of the spine during the downswing phase [ 14 , 15 ]. Fortunately, professional golfers possess the capability to minimize the recurrence of injuries through technical adjustments [ 16 , 17 ]. Grimshaw and Burden reported the successful elimination of golf-related LBP in professional golfers, partly by reducing the amount of trunk flexion and by adopting a side bend during the downswing [ 16 ].…”