Background

Historically, golf does not have a strong tradition of fitness testing and physical training. However, in recent years, both players and practitioners have started to recognise the value of a fitter and healthier body, owing to its potential positive impacts on performance, namely clubhead speed (CHS).

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the associations between CHS (as measured using a driver) and a variety of physical characteristics.

Methods

A systematic literature search with meta-analysis was conducted using Medline, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and PubMed databases. Inclusion criteria required studies to have (1) determined the association between physical characteristics assessed in at least one physical test and CHS, (2) included golfers of any skill level but they had to be free from injury and (3) been peer-reviewed and published in the English language. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black Quality Index tool and heterogeneity assessed via the Q statistic and I². To provide summary effects for each of the physical characteristics and their associations with CHS, a random effects model was used where z-transformed r values (i.e. z_r) were computed to enable effect size pooling within the meta-analysis.

Results

Of the 3039 studies initially identified, 20 were included in the final analysis. CHS was significantly associated with lower body strength (z_r = 0.47 [95% confidence intervals {CI} 0.24–0.69]), upper body strength (z_r = 0.48 [95% CI 0.28–0.68]), jump displacement (z_r = 0.53 [95% CI 0.28–0.78]), jump impulse (z_r = 0.82 [95% CI 0.63–1.02]), jumping peak power (z_r = 0.66 [95% CI 0.53–0.79]), upper body explosive strength (z_r = 0.67 [95% CI 0.53–0.80]), anthropometry (z_r = 0.43 [95% CI 0.29–0.58]) and muscle capacity (z_r = 0.17 [95% CI 0.04–0.31]), but not flexibility (z_r = − 0.04 [95% CI − 0.33 to 0.26]) or balance (z_r = − 0.06 [95% CI − 0.46 to 0.34]).

Conclusions

The findings from this meta-analysis highlight a range of physical characteristics are associated with CHS. Whilst significant associations ranged from trivial to large, noteworthy information is that jump impulse produced the strongest association, upper body explosive strength showed noticeably larger associations than upper body strength, and flexibility was not significant. These findings can be used to ensure practitioners prioritise appropriate fitness testing protocols for golfers.

中文翻译：

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物理特征与高尔夫球杆头速度之间的关联：荟萃分析的系统回顾

背景

从历史上看，高尔夫运动并没有很强的体能测试和体能训练的传统。然而，近年来，球员和练习者都开始认识到更健康的身体的价值，因为它对表现（即杆头速度（CHS））具有潜在的积极影响。

客观的

这项荟萃分析的目的是检查 CHS（使用驾驶员测量）与各种身体特征之间的关联。

方法

使用 Medline、SPORTDiscus、CINAHL 和 PubMed 数据库进行系统文献检索和荟萃分析。纳入标准要求研究必须 (1) 确定至少一项身体测试中评估的身体特征与 CHS 之间的关联，(2) 包括任何技能水平的高尔夫球手，但他们必须没有受伤，以及 (3) 经过同行评审并以英文出版。使用改良版本的 Downs 和 Black 质量指数工具评估方法学质量，并通过Q统计量和I ²评估异质性。为了提供每个物理特征及其与 CHS 关联的汇总效应，使用随机效应模型，其中计算z变换的r值（即z _r）以在荟萃分析中实现效应大小汇集。

结果

在最初确定的 3039 项研究中，有 20 项纳入最终分析。 CHS 与下半身力量 ( z _r  = 0.47 [95% 置信区间 {CI} 0.24–0.69])、上半身力量 ( z _r  = 0.48 [95% CI 0.28–0.68])、跳跃位移 ( z _r  = 0.53 [95% CI 0.28–0.78])，跳跃脉冲 ( z _r  = 0.82 [95% CI 0.63–1.02])，跳跃峰值功率 ( z _r  = 0.66 [95% CI 0.53–0.79])，上身爆发力力量 ( z _r  = 0.67 [95% CI 0.53–0.80])、人体测量学 ( z _r  = 0.43 [95% CI 0.29–0.58]) 和肌肉能力 ( z _r  = 0.17 [95% CI 0.04–0.31])，但是不是灵活性（z _r  = − 0.04 [95% CI − 0.33 至 0.26]）或平衡（z _r  = − 0.06 [95% CI − 0.46 至 0.34]）。

结论

这项荟萃分析的结果强调了一系列与中枢性低通气综合症相关的身体特征。虽然显着关联范围从微不足道到大，但值得注意的信息是跳跃冲动产生最强的关联，上半身爆发力显示出比上半身力量明显更大的关联，而灵活性则不显着。这些发现可用于确保从业者优先考虑为高尔夫球手提供适当的体能测试方案。