Anti-movement core training modulates abdominal antagonist co-activation and enhances trunk rotational kinematics in amateur golfers

This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of an 8-week anti-movement core training programme on phase-specific abdominal antagonist co-activation (CoA) and thorax-pelvis kinematics in amateur golfers. Participants were randomly allocated to an Experimental group (EXP, anti-movement core training), a traditional core training group (TCP), or a control group (CON). Training groups completed supervised sessions three times per week. Surface electromyography of the external oblique and 3D kinematics were recorded during the golf swing pre- and post-intervention. Results revealed that the EXP group demonstrated a unique phase-specific CoA modulation: significant preparatory increases during the takeaway and backswing, followed by rapid downregulation during the early downswing, which differed significantly from TCP (p < 0.05). While both EXP and TCP improved clubhead speed, only EXP significantly increased peak X-factor velocity and peak thorax rotational velocity (p < 0.05). Pelvic rotational velocity remained unchanged. Compared with traditional core training, anti-movement core training was associated with greater phase-specific modulation of external oblique co-activation and greater improvements in rotational kinematic variables. These findings suggest that incorporating multi-planar anti-movement core exercises may be a useful approach for improving trunk movement coordination and golf swing performance in amateur golfers.