The Influence of an 8-Week Strength and Corrective Exercise Intervention on the Overhead Deep Squat and Golf Swing Kinematics

Abstract

Langdown, BL, Bridge, MW, and Li, F-X. The influence of an 8-week strength and corrective exercise intervention on the overhead deep squat and golf swing kinematics. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 291–297, 2023—It has previously been suggested that performance of the overhead squat (OHS) is a useful predictor of loss of posture in the golf swing. Using an 8-week intervention to improve OHS performance, this study assessed this suggestion and analyzed the impact of any resultant physical adaptations on golf swing kinematics. Thirty-seven golfers (handicap = 14.8 ± 13.3) were randomly split into a control group (n = 16) and an intervention group (n = 21)—who completed an 8-week strength and flexibility program. Pre- and postintervention OHS assessments and 3-dimensional (3D) 6-iron swing kinematics were captured. The level of significance set for the study was p < 0.05. Despite the intervention group's significant improvement in OHS thigh angle (p < 0.001), there were no significant changes in 3D swing kinematics between the groups and over pre- and posttesting for address (p = 0.219), top of the backswing (p = 0.977), and impact (p = 0.994). In addition, regression analysis revealed that the 4 measured OHS variables were significant and small predictors of swing kinematic variables at the top of backswing and impact (ranging from R² = 0.109 to R² = 0.300). These may, however, be spurious relationships as swing changes could be expected following the intervention if they were indeed true predictors of the postural variables. The use of the OHS to understand the cause of loss of posture during the golf swing is therefore not recommended because many other variables could influence swing kinematics. It may, however, be a useful assessment tool for strength and range of movement, provided that any motor learning issues are resolved before results influencing conditioning programs.