Sport specific adaptation in scapular upward rotation in
elite golfers

Mackenzie, TA; Herrington, LC; Funk, L; Horsley, I; Cools, A

Abstract

Objective: Appropriate scapula position is necessary to optimise
maximum force generation during the golf swing. Abnormalities
in upward scapular rotation have been associated with various
shoulder pathologies. Assessment of scapular position is
considered an important clinical measure for sports therapists and
trainers to prevent injury. This study investigated scapular upward
rotation in elite golfers.
Method: Forty five male golfers on European Challenge Tour and
thirty six non-sportsman control volunteers met the inclusion criteria
for the study. With the participant standing, the Palmmeter was
used to measure lateral distances of the scapula from the spine and
these measurements were used in the sin rule to calculate scapular
rotation in the coronal plane.
Result: The dominant scapula of controls was more upwardly
rotated in both neutral (p=0.04, paired t-test) and in 60 degrees of
shoulder abduction (p=0.04, paired t-test). The dominant scapula of
golfers was significantly more upwardly rotated in neutral (p=0.01,
paired t-test) and the lead scapula was significantly more upwardly
rotated in 60° of shoulder abduction (p=0.01, paired t-test).
Conclusion: Asymmetry of scapular rotation in the coronal
plane in golfers as an indicator of risk in the golfers shoulder is
not appropriate during screening. When compared with controls,
golfers had a unique pattern of scapular upward rotation during arm
abduction to 60°.

Citation

elite golfers. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 4(5), https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000211

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 14, 2015
• Publication Date: Oct 20, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 21, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Athletic Enhancement
• Publisher: OMICS International
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000211
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000211