Date of Award
12-2022
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Academic Program
Kinesiology BS
Department
Human Performance and Recreation; Kinesiology
First Advisor
Paul T. Donahue, Ph.D.
Advisor Department
Human Performance and Recreation; Kinesiology
Abstract
Golf biomechanics research has focused on clubhead velocity (CHV) for over a decade with the intent of discovering the physical attributes that contribute the most to CHV. Previous research has displayed the significant correlations of strength and power attributes to CHV, giving evidence for practitioners to integrate training to improve these attributes. Recent studies have referenced vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) and how they affect CHV. In this study, vGRFs are tested for their correlations to CHV in NCAA Division I female golfers. Clubs of various lengths were used to determine correlations between each club and vGRFs. Correlations between CHV and vGRFs were statistically insignificant. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the effect sizes were large, and p values could be lower due to small sample size. Of all values recorded, peak lead leg force was the greatest correlate throughout each club (r = 0.53-0.72). Data showed strong correlation coefficients between the clubhead velocity of each club and lead leg forces. Data also showed that club length may have had effects on the correlation of vGRFs to CHV. While previous research has focused on CHV correlations in male golfers, this study provided support that CHV values for females have stronger correlates than those for males. Despite the lack of significance, the effect sizes and correlation coefficients are promising values. Limitations of this study are small sample sizes and lack of diverse body types in the study. A multi-sex study with larger sample sizes would increase significance of values.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Bush, Jared, "Relationships Between Vertical Ground Reaction Forces and Clubhead Velocity in NCAA Division I Female Golfers" (2022). Honors Theses. 880.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/880