This information was published as a research abstract in the Journal of Physical and Manipulative Therapy, March/April 2000, and is reproduced here for your convenience. You can print a copy of this page.

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The effects of orthotic intervention and nine holes of simulated golf on club head velocity in experienced golfers. David Stude, DC, and Jeff Gullickson, DC.

Objective: This study was an initial investigation evaluating the effects of orthotic intervention on club head velocity (CHV) among a group of experienced golfers before and after nine holes of simulated golf.

Setting: Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN.

Participants: Twelve experienced golfers.

Method: CHV was measured before and after wearing orthotics, and before and after completing nine holes of simulated golf using the Bel-Tronics Swing Mate, a measurement device used by numerous PGA and LPGA teaching professionals. Subjects wore custom-made, flexible orthotics daily for six weeks, then were retested using the same objective measurement parameters.

Outcome Measure: CHV (swing speed in miles per hour) was measured in all subjects before and after wearing custom-fit, flexible orthotics for six week and before and after completing nine holes of simulated golf.

Results: There was an approximate increase in CHV of 3-5 mph, or a relative increase in CHV by up to 7% after subjects had worn custom-made, weightbearing, flexible orthotics daily for six weeks. A 5 mph increase in CHV is equivalent to an approximate increase in golf ball travel distance of 15 yards (45 feet), a significant increase for the tour player where small increases in performance can reflect large position changes on the roster board. Additionally, the use of these custom orthoses eliminated the effects of fatigue associated with playing nine holes of golf (i.e., relative to CHV) and so may potentially improve the likelihood for more consistent golf performance.

Conclusion: The use of the custom-fit, flexible orthotics used in this study had a positive influence on CHV in experienced golfers.

This information is a report of research conducted at Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN. .