Biomechanical Analysis of Golf-Related Injuries

Golf-related injuries most commonly affect the lumbar spine, knee joints and elbow, reflecting the complex interplay of rotational forces, weight transfer and muscle activation inherent in the golf swing. Biomechanical analysis employs motion capture, force measurement and musculoskeletal modelling to quantify kinematic patterns, joint loads and soft‐tissue stresses. In the lower back, rapid trunk rotation coupled with axial extension can produce shear forces across lumbar segments, predisposing to disc degeneration and muscle strain. The lead knee experiences large internal rotation moments and compressive loads, which may exceed three times body weight during the downswing, elevating the risk of meniscal injury and osteoarthritis. In the elbow, repetitive wrist pronation and forearm muscle activation contribute to medial and lateral epicondylitis through chronic tendon overload. Insights from biomechanics have informed preventive strategies such as swing modifications, targeted conditioning and ergonomic club designs. Global participation in golf continues to rise, heightening the need for evidence-based guidance to reduce injury burden among professional and amateur players alike. By integrating three-dimensional kinematics, inverse dynamics and electromyography, researchers are shaping training protocols that balance performance enhancement with long-term musculoskeletal health.

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Biomechanical Analysis of Golf-Related Injuries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biomechanical analysis of golf-related injuries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biomechanical analysis: The quantitative study of forces and motions in biological systems, often using motion capture and force measurement.

Kinematics: The description of motion in terms of displacement, velocity and acceleration without regard to the forces causing it.

Kinetics: The branch of biomechanics concerned with the forces that cause or result from motion, including joint moments and muscle forces.

Inverse dynamics: A computational method that calculates internal forces and moments at joints by combining kinematic data with external force measurements.

Electromyography (EMG): A technique for recording the electrical activity of muscles during contraction to assess activation patterns and intensity.

Shear force: A force that acts parallel to the surface of a structure, such as spinal vertebrae, causing layers to slide relative to each other.

Range of motion (ROM): The full movement potential of a joint, measured in degrees of angular displacement.

References

1. Does Overhead Squat Performance Affect the Swing Kinematics and Lumbar Spine Loads during the Golf Downswing?. Sensors (2024).
2. Lower Limb Biomechanics during the Golf Downswing in Individuals with and without a History of Knee Joint Injury. Bioengineering (2023).
3. An Ergonomic Golf Grip Leads to Lower Forearm Muscle Activity - A Prospective Case Series of 30 Right-Handed Amateur and Professional Golfers. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2024).