Abdominal muscle characteristics of elite male golfers with and without chronic low back pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common musculoskeletal problem affecting amateur and professional golfers. The main purpose of this study was to measure the magnitude and onset time of abdominal muscle activity of elite male golfers with and without CLBP during the golf swing. These parameters were measured before and after a typical practice session. Abdominal muscle fatigue was also measured following the practice session. Significant differences were found in abdominal muscle activity onset time between elite CLBP (17) golfers and elite AC (8) golfers. Differences in onset times between CLBP and AC subjects remained following practice. The practice session led to significant increases of low back pain in CLBP subjects. Abdominal muscle fatigue did not occur following practice in either group. Differences in abdominal muscle activity onset time during the golf swing between elite male golfers with and without CLBP might be related to CLBP.