DYNAMIC ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF TRUNK MUSCULATURE IN PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS

Using dynamic surface electrode electromyography, we evaluated muscle activity in 13 male professional golfers during the golf swing. Surfac e electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the r ight abdominal oblique, left abdominal oblique, right gluteus maximus, left gluteus maximus, right erector spinae, left erector spinae, uppe r rectus abdominis, and lower rectus abdominis muscles during the golf er's swing. These signals were synchronized electronically with photog raphic images of the various phases of the golf swing; the images were recorded in slow motion through motion picture photography. The golf swing was divided into five phases: take away, forward swing, accelera tion, early follow-through, and late follow-through. Despite individua l differences among the subjects' swings, we observed reproducible pat terns of trunk muscle activity throughout all phases of the golf swing . Our findings demonstrate the importance of the trunk muscles in stab ilizing and controlling the loading response for maximal power and acc uracy in the golfer's swing. This study provides a basis for developin g a rehabilitation program for golfers that stresses strengthening of the trunk muscles and coordination exercises.