Abstract:

Relatively little research has been conducted examining the physical characteristics that are important to a golfer’s performance. The investigators studied whether a series of upper-extremity exercises on a balance device would significantly improve upper-extremity stability and power in collegiate golfers. A total of 23 collegiate golfers (ages: 20.4 ± 1.4 years, height: 67.7 in ± 6.6 in, weight: 171.8 lb. ± 87.6 lb.) participated in the study. A two group non-equivalent pre-test/post-test design was selected for this study. Testing included shoulder flexion, hyper-extension (shoulder flexibility), and a Closed-Kinetic Chain Upper-Extremity Stability test (Upper-Extremity stability and power). Testing was conducted before and after a 4-week upper-extremity exercise conducted on a balance device. An independent t-test was selected to analyze differences if any between the experimental and control group. The experimental group revealed a significant improvement in upper-extremity power (p=0.01) and stability (p=0.01). The shoulder flexibility for the experimental group demonstrated no significance (p=0.058) in the left shoulder hyperextension but showed significant value (p=0.033) in the right shoulder hyperextension. The control group demonstrated a significant (p=0.044) decrease in shoulder flexion in the right shoulder. The results demonstrate that specific upper-extremity exercises on a balance device do improve upper-extremity power, upper-extremity stability, and over-head shoulder flexibility within 4 weeks.

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