Golf shoulder injuries are not as common as you might think but golf swing restriction is very common; the reason is that whilst we want to play golf our body type might not be ready for it and forcing it will result in injury.
The backswing (or take away) occurs when the body begins to move away from the club. The backswing places the body in the correct position to begin the downswing and the body begins the recruitment of energy that will be transitioned at the top of the backswing towards the ball.
From a biomechanical analysis:
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- as the club moves backwards shear force is applied to the anterior portion of the right foot (right handed).
- at the same time, a posterior shear force is applied to the left foot (Fleisig, Biomechanics of Golf).
The backswing starts from the time the club starts moving to the top of the backswing, and during this backswing the most active muscle in the upper body is the upper trapezius on the right side, with the middle trapezius displaying the second highest reading.
(On the left side), the most active muscle is the subscapularis followed by the upper serratus anterior. The most active muscle in the lower body is the semimembranosus and the long head of the biceps femoris (hamstrings) on the right side. On the left the most active muscle is the erector spinae (spine) then your abdominal obliques.
For example: When the arm is lifted latissimus dorsi is fully activated and eccentric contraction is at a maximum. If the latissimus dorsi is tight it will restrict rotation during the backswing but pull the arms downwards preventing a full backswing and poor follow through.
Many golfers and golf coaches fail to understand how the body works and therefore which muscles need to be worked on or exercise to perform a better swing albeit a backswing or follow through. Remember if you don’t understand the body you cannot improve…
If you want to improve your golf before or after injury then please call us at Therapyroom1. We offer golf biomechanics and rehabilitation. Call today on 01522 511834 and make an appointment now… bring your clubs!