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Golf is in Mid-Season - Are You in Full Swing?
By John Jones, MSPT
Golf is a sport that requires a great deal of flexibility, joint mobility, trunk motion, and core strength. Golf is arguably one of the most popular sports amongst middle-aged and older adults. Recent demographic research has indicated that the average age of the 29 million golfers in the United States is 46. Many golfers strongly desire to play the game well into their retirement years.
Unfortunately, flexibility subtly decreases with aging. Aging muscles shrink in size due to a loss in quantity and size of muscle fibers, which is enhanced by a less active lifestyle. Chemical changes can alter pliability of muscle tissue and tendons typically lose water content thus making muscles stiffer. History of injury can also drastically limit flexibility because of adhesions within soft tissues. Loss of flexibility inherently increases stress on joints and raises the risk for joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation.
Most golfers do not stretch regularly and many do not stretch at all prior to playing. The result is increased joint pressure, reduced club-head speed from an incomplete swing, and an increased risk for injury causing a loss in playing time. Golfers most commonly seek physical therapy for back, shoulder, and elbow injuries. Daily stretching and a ten minute pre-golf routine could prevent many of these injuries.
If you or someone you know is an injured golfer, consider calling Blue Hills Sports & Spine Rehabilitation. We help injured golfers live life on their terms every day by limiting joint stress, minimizing soft tissue inflammation, enhancing core strength, and optimizing their golf swing to generate more distance and endure a full season with a potentially lower handicap.
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