Relationships Between Highly Skilled Golfers' Clubhead Velocity and Vertical Ground Reaction Force Asymmetry During Vertical Jumps and an Isometric Midthigh Pull

Abstract

Clubhead velocity (CHV) is a commonly measured variable within golf due to strong associations with increased drive distance. Previous research has revealed significant relationships between CHV and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) variables during bilateral tasks including a countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Asymmetries have been linked to performance outcomes in a number of sports, however few studies have assessed asymmetries within golf. The current study, therefore, examined the relationships between CHV and vGRF asymmetries for CMJ positive impulse, SJ positive impulse, DJ positive impulse and IMTP peak force (PF). Furthermore, the level of agreement for asymmetries between protocols were assessed via Kappa coefficients. Fifty highly skilled (handicap ≤5) male golfers attended laboratory and range-based testing sessions. Positive impulse and PF were measured using a dual force platform system, with CHV measured using a TrackMan 3e launch monitor. There was no significant relationship (r =-0.14 to 0.22) between CHV and each of the vGRF asymmetry measures. Of the golfers tested, 26 had a 'real' asymmetry in the CMJ, 18 had a 'real' asymmetry in the SJ, 25 had a 'real' asymmetry in the DJ and 27 had a 'real' asymmetry in the IMTP. Kappa coefficients indicated that asymmetries rarely favoured the same limb (k = 0.06 to 0.39) with asymmetries varying for individual golfers between protocols. As such, asymmetries are nether beneficial or detrimental to CHV, but are inherently individual and dependent on the task.

Relationship of Clubhead Speed With Explosive Power and Muscle Strength of the Hip and Trunk Joints of Elite Golfers

“…On the other hand, the hypothesis that CMJ height positively correlated with CHS was rejected because no correlation was found among female athletes. Most previous studies on the relationship between CHS and CMJ (31)(32)(33) were conducted on male athletes, and a positive correlation between CHS and CMJ height was observed in male athletes in the present study. However, no correlation was found between CHS and CMJ height in a study of the relationship between CHS and CMJ in female athletes (2), and a positive correlation was found between the CHS and CMJ peak power, similar to the results of the present study.…”

“…The CHS was identified as the dependent variable, and hip extension-flexion muscle strength, trunk rotation (peak torque of isokinetic 60 and 180°·s −1 angular velocity), CMJ (jump height, peak power), and BOMB throw distance were defined as the independent variables. These items were previously found to be associated with CHS (2,31–33) or suggested to be associated with CHS in previous studies (10,12,15,17,20,22,26,27,29). The experimental procedures performed in this study for measuring isokinetic muscle strength of the hip and trunk (11,14,19), countermovement jump (21), BOMB throw (26), and clubhead speed (31,32) have previously been demonstrated to have high test-retest reliability.…”

“…Although various factors are associated with the driving distance, the clubhead speed (CHS) at impact has a significant influence (28). The usefulness of resistance training to improve CHS has recently become apparent (2,8,13,15,21,24,(31)(32)(33) and thus has been implemented by many golfers (4,5,7).…”

“…In a study on CHS and physical fitness, it was reported that 1repetition maximum (1RM) (4,7,8) of squat (SQ), jump height, and peak power (2,(31)(32)(33) of countermovement jump (CMJ) positively correlated with CHS. Interestingly, among all these measurements, the muscular exertion associated with extension in the 3 joints of the lower extremities (ankle, knee, and hip), and the trunk is considerably great.…”

“…Interestingly, among all these measurements, the muscular exertion associated with extension in the 3 joints of the lower extremities (ankle, knee, and hip), and the trunk is considerably great. The magnitude of lower extremity (2,(31)(32)(33) and trunk extension (10,19) occurring during the golf swing may reportedly affect CHS. These reports indicate that SQ and CMJ are useful as physical fitness measurements related to CHS.…”