SPORTS CONDITIONING
CASE STUDY 1
C
hartered physiotherapist Emma Ross has run pilates classes at Southampton’s Hedge End Golf
Centre for four years. The registered Stott Pilates studio runs 12 mat and equipment classes a week, as well as a number of private sessions. “Since pilates builds core strength
and stability, increases flexibility and improves posture, alignment, strength and muscular balance, it’s a good option for golfers,” says Ross. “Golf is a rotational sport, so we include a lot of spinal, shoulder and hip rota- tion exercises in the classes. Golfers who attend regularly often find they have a more consistent swing with a better back swing and follow through position because they have more freedom of movement. Developing a stronger core can also add distance to their shots – the strength of the core muscles can be used to generate more power into their swing.”
Details:
www.physioflex.co.uk
SHAY BRENNAN – co-founder, Yourgolfmatters
S
hay Brennan is a PGA golf profes- sional and one
of only a handful in the UK to hold the TPI Level 2 qualification
from the Titleist Performance Institute in the US, considered the leading experts in golf fitness. Brennan works with golfers of all ages and abilities, as well as golf clubs and 19 schools. “Some people think that golf is a slow
sport. The golf swing may start from a stationary position, but just over a second later, the golfer has rotated away from the target and turned back again striking the golf ball with club head speeds reach- ing 140mph with the golf ball travelling at 200mph. Research has shown that ro- tational forces during the swing are more than eight times body weight. “The body is the power source of the
golf swing and with physical condition- ing, the potential for improvement is vast. The key areas to work on are agil- ity, balance and co-ordination and from here, client-specific programmes are de- veloped to ensure efficient progression. The vast majority of clients have is- sues with balance. This restricts their
ability to stabilise efficiently, rotation is limited and clients are then plagued by loss of power and accuracy. As a result, habits form using incorrect muscles and technique, which leads to injuries and breakdown of technique over time. “All sessions start with a thorough
screening process to identify every client’s fundamental movement pat- terns and physical literacy. This includes a pelvic tilt test, pelvic rotation test, torso rotation, overhead deep squat, toe touch, external shoulder rotation test, single leg balance, bridge with leg extension, half squat eversion test and ankle inversion/eversion test. “I use a lot of commercial fitness
equipment including the York STS Cable Crossover, which is great for all rotation- al exercises. Combine this with unstable surfaces such as wobble boards and swiss balls and you have lots of progressions. The seated wood chop on a swiss ball for example, is a great move for core activa- tion and rotation. “Medicine balls, kettlebells and torna-
do balls are also fantastic for developing core, rotation, speed and power. Swiss balls and balance boards are perfect for improving stability and for progressing
44 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital
more advanced clients. The York Fitness Core Board allows full development of critical core muscles while developing rotation, power and endurance. Olympic lifting sets are also ideal for more advanced clients. “Today’s elite players can see how
conditioned the successful profession- al golfers are and know they must be physically prepared to compete. This preparation and conditioning is filtering down to players of all abilities. “My role is to produce more physically
literate golf athletes. By the time my cur- rent clients progress to more elite levels, their agility, balance and co-ordination will be outstanding and much of the ini- tial correction work I’m doing now will progress to developing speed, power and even greater performance. “Golf is a highly technical sport with
complex full-body movements. General improvements to a golfer’s conditioning will definitely help optimise perfor- mance and improve their enjoyment of the game, which is good news for golf clubs and facilities. However, it’s impera- tive that any golf conditioning is done in consultation with a suitably qualified PGA golf professional.”
Issue 2 2010 © cybertrek 2010
Pilates exercises offer golfers more freedom of movement
PHOTO: STOTT PILATES® PHOTOGRAPHY © MERRITHEW CORPORATION
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