The effects of static and dynamic stretching on balance measures during the performance of a golf swing

Context: Stretching has long been included in warm-ups prior to athletic performance. Static and dynamic stretching have the potential to affect balance as well as other performance measures. Balance plays a key role during the golf swing and research has shown that better golfers tend to have better balance. Objective: To examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching routines on balance measures during the performance of a golf swing to provide golfers with a better guide to a proper warm-up. Setting: The testing was performed in the golf laboratory in the Professional Golf Management building at the California University of Pennsylvania. Patients or Other Participants: Subjects consisted of 19 males, currently suffering no injuries, from the California University of Pennsylvania Professional Golf Management Program and golf team, all having a handicap of 15 or better. Interventions: A static and dynamic stretching routine were the independent variables and were performed on two separate days followed by 10 golf swings with the driver of the subjects choice. There was a minute rest between each swing. The Science and Motion BalanceLab was used to record the data. Main Outcome Measures: Balance was the dependent variable and was recorded by 3 different measurements from the BalanceLab. Confidence ellipse width (anterior/posterior sway of the subject relative to the balance plate), and confidence ellipse angle (degree of stance relative to target that balls were hit towards, perpendicular being 90o), were the hypothesized measurements, while confidence ellipse height was included as an additional finding. Results: Confidence ellipse width revealed no significant difference (F(1,18)=1.32, p > .265). The test revealed no significant difference between the static (54.85mm +/- 21.99) and dynamic (52.48mm +/- 16.60) stretching conditions. In the second hypothesis, a significant difference was found (F(1,18)=5.03, p > .038). The test revealed there was a significant difference between the static (83.35deg +/- 4.26) and dynamic (82.74deg +/- 4.31) stretching conditions on the confidence ellipse angle. On the additional test no significant difference was found (F(1,18)=3.97, p > .062). The test revealed no significant difference between the static (288.18mm +/- 66.10) and dynamic (299.01mm +/- 73.33) stretching conditions. Conclusions: After reviewing the results of this study, it cannot be concluded as to which stretching routine is better prior to performance of a golf swing. Further research is necessary to determine if the confidence ellipse angle plays an important role during the golf swing.