Electromyographic analysis of the trunk in golfers

Golf is a popular sport for both men and women. The trunk is the most common area of injury during the golf swing. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the muscle firing patterns in the trunk during the golf swing. Twenty-three golfers with handicaps of five or below volunteered for this study. Surface electromyographic electrodes were placed on the abdominal oblique and erector spinae muscles bilaterally. High-speed cinematography was used in conjunction with the electromyographic electrodes. The results demonstrated relatively low activity in all muscles during takeaway (below 30% of maximal muscle test), and relatively high and constant activity throughout the rest of the swing (above 30% maximal muscle test, with the exception of the contralateral erector spinae during late follow-through, which was 28% maximal muscle test). This high and constant activity demonstrated the importance of the trunk muscles during a golf swing. These results indicate the need for an effective preventive and rehabilitative exercise program for the golfer.