Clinical journal of sport medicine, 2020/06, 30(2):160‐. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000828, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/doi/10.1002/central/CN-02099627/full)

Keywords:

golf [11]
osteopathic manipulativ treatment [11]
golf swing [1]
musculoskeletal pain [46]
OMT [3924]
randomized controlled trial [947]

Abstract:

Purpose: The modern golf swing has been implicated as a cause of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in golfers. Though the use of OMT focused to known MSK problem areas in golfers, this single‐blinded, randomized controlled trial seeks to evaluate the effect of treatment on golf ball carry distance. Methods: A power analysis concluded a n=60 given the primary outcome (carry distance) was set at 5 yds. Participants (n=34) were randomized into 1 of 3 intervention groups: control, sham OMT and OMT. Participants used their own 5 iron and the same premium golf balls to hit 10 pre/post intervention shots in front of a launch monitor. A pre/post intervention survey was used to collect subjective data. Results: A 0 to 10 VAS was utilized for participants to rate their flexibility, strength and opinion of their swing, with 10/ 10 being the ideal score. Pre/Post OMT strength increased significantly 5.09 (SD 1.14) to 6.64 (SD 1.12) (P=0.008). Pre/Post OMT opinion of swing increased significantly 4.91 (SD 1.45) to 6.18 (SD 1.47) (P=0.047). Pre/Post OMT flexibility increased but not in a significant manner 5.42 (SD 1.52) to 7.42 (SD 1.31). Pre/Post OMT carry yards increased but not in a significant manner 114.7 (SD 40.5) to 121.3 (SD 41.0). Pre/Post OMT ball speed (MPH) increased but not in a significant manner 92.6 (SD 19.8) to 95.2 (SD 20.3). Pre/Post OMT club head speed (MPH) increased but not in a significant manner 72.5 (SD 14.7) to 75.7 (SD 14.7). Pre/Post OMT total distance (yds) increased but not in a significant manner 133.0 (SD 39.4) to 139.1 (SD 39.1). The control group outcomes were mixed while the sham OMT group noted worsening of objective data after intervention across all objective outcomes. Conclusions: OMT group noted statistically significant increases in strength and opinion of swing, with trends toward significance with flexibility, carry distance and the other secondary objective outcomes. Lack of statistical significance in flexibility measure and objective outcomes likely secondary to the high degree of variability in data given the low (n). Significance: While under‐powered with a high degree of variability, the OMT group noted statistically significant increases in perceived strength and opinion of the golf swingwhile showing trends towards significance with objective golf swing data.