Low back pain in professional golfers: the role of associated hip and low back range-of-motion deficits

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is fairly prevalent among golfers; however, its precise biomechanical mechanism is often debated. HYPOTHESIS: There is a positive correlation between decreased lead hip rotation and lumbar range of motion with a prior history of low back pain in professional golfers. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Forty-two consecutive professional male golfers were categorized as group 1 (history of low back pain greater than 2 weeks affecting quality of play within past 1 year) and group 2 (no previous such history). All underwent measurements of hip and lumbar range of motion, FABERE's distance, and finger-to-floor distance. Differences in measurements were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: 33% of golfers had previously experienced low back pain. A statistically significant correlation (P <.05) was observed between a history of low back pain with decreased lead hip internal rotation, FABERE's distance, and lumbar extension. No statistically significant difference was noted in nonlead hip range of motion or finger-to-floor distance with history of low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Range-of-motion deficits in the lead hip rotation and lumbar spine extension correlated with a history of low back pain in golfers.