The Role of Hip Internal Rotation and Ground Reaction Forces on Lower Back Pain in Amateur Golfers

The Role of Hip Internal Rotation and Ground Reaction Forces on Lower Back Pain in Amateur Golfers

Alvin Sherman Library

Lower back pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal injury amongst golfers; the high velocity and repetitive motion of the golf swing on the lumbar spine leads to substantial compressive and torsional forces, making LBP primarily and overuse injury. An additional risk factor for LBP is limited lead hip internal rotation (LHIR), which forces the lumbar spine to compensate through excessive rotation. The golf swing also relies heavily on the efficient transfer of energy generated from the ground through the lower body, a process quantified by ground reaction forces (GRFs). While existing research has separately examined LBP and GRFs, there is a notable gap in understanding their direct correlation. This retrospective study utilized de-identified data from 42 diverse golfers (aged 18-55) including health history, TPI screenings, and biomechanical assessments at the P5 swing position. Analysis revealed that most golfers exhibited LHIR in the mid-30° range, failing the TPI benchmark of 40°, with several subjects falling below 30°. These mobility restrictions were coupled with asymmetries (5-10°) between the right and left hips. Furthermore, lead foot pressure at P5 was often below 45%, well under the optimal 65-78% range for efficient weight transfer. These results indicate that restricted hip mobility and inadequate pressure-loading strategies likely force compensatory lumbar patterns, increasing LBP and reducing clubhead speed. These findings support the development of personalized training interventions that prioritize LHIR and FRG efficiency to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.