Sport specific adaptation in resting length of pectoralis minor in professional male golfers

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

Abstract

Objective: In professional male golfers the shoulder is the third
most commonly injured area with the lead/non-dominant shoulder
three times more likely to be injured than the trail/dominant shoulder.
Resting length of pectoralis minor musculature influences scapular
and glenohumeral orientation which when suboptimal is associated
with shoulder injuries. This study investigates the resting pectoralis
minor muscle length in professional male golfers.
Method: Forty five male golfers on European Challenge Tour
and thirty six control volunteers met the inclusion criteria for the
study. Resting pectoralis minor length was measured in the supine
position with the Palmmeter device.
Results: Within groups: controls exhibited a significantly longer
pectoralis minor muscle on the non-dominant side (p=0.01), and
golfers had a significantly longer pectoralis minor muscle on the
trail/dominant side (p=0.01). Between groups: controls exhibited a
significantly longer pectoralis minor length on the non-dominant/
lead side when compared to golfers (p=0.01).
Conclusion: When compared to age-matched controls professional
male golfers have a unique pattern of resting pectorals minor
muscle length, with longer pectoralis minor length noted in the trail/
dominant shoulder. Comparison of the lead/non-dominant shoulder
with controls highlights that golfers have a shorter pectoralis minor
length which in turn affects scapular and glenohumeral orientation.
This may place the golfer at greater risk of shoulder injury in the
lead side.

Citation

Mackenzie, T., Herrington, L., Funk, L., Horsley, I., & Cools, A. (2015). Sport specific adaptation in resting length of pectoralis minor in professional male golfers. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 4(5), https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000213

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 2, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 8, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 21, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Athletic Enhancement
• Publisher: OMICS International
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000213
• Publisher URL: http://www.scitechnol.com/athletic-enhancement.php