Background: This is the first study that presents electromyographic measurements prior to the development of lower back pain in young elite golfers. Study design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Thirty-three injury free elite golfers were included. Muscle activity from latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, external oblique and erector spinae muscles were recorded during 10 drive golf swings. Lower back pain, training and performance were monitored over a six-month period. Muscle activation comparisons were made between the baseline results of those who went on to develop lower back pain versus those who did not go on to develop lower back pain. Results: After the six-month monitoring period 17 participants developed lower back pain. The group that developed lower back pain had increased dominant rectus abdominis and dominant latissimus dorsi activation at various time points throughout the swing. Discussion: The increased dominant rectus abdominis and dominant latissimus dorsi during the golf swing is linked with developing lower back pain. Training strategies aimed at reducing these muscles activation during the swing may reduce the incidence of lower back pain in young elite male golfers.
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