Author(s): JOHANSEN, M., AAGAARD, P., BISHOP, C., MATHIESEN, J., KVORNING, T., GEJL, K.D., BOJSEN-MOLLER, J., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK, Country: DENMARK, Abstract-ID: 1122

INTRODUCTION:
Driving distance and club head speed (CHS) are key determinants of elite golf performance, yet evaluations of controlled strength and power training interventions in elite-level golfers, particularly females, remain scarce. We examined the effects of 16 weeks of strength and power training on launch monitor-derived golf swing performance and mechanical muscle function in elite male and female golfers.
METHODS:
Twenty-nine elite-level golfers (15 female, 14 male) completed a 16-week strength and power training program (four sessions per week), while 11 golfers served as controls by continuing their habitual training routines. Pre- and post-intervention testing included launch monitor-derived driver and 6-iron performance (CHS, ball speed, carry distance, total distance) and a physical test battery comprising countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), isometric bench press (IBP), and maximal trunk rotation peak power. Training effects were evaluated using linear mixed models. Standardized effects were calculated as Hedges g with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS:
Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for all driver performance outcomes in both male and female golfers. Driver CHS increased by ~4% in the intervention group in both females and males (p<0.001; females g = 2.23 [95% CI: 0.98, 3.47]; males g = 1.62 [95% CI: 0.53, 2.72]), with similar effects for ball speed and distance outcomes, and smaller but consistent improvements observed for 6-iron outcomes. Strength and power measures improved across multiple tests in the intervention group, while no changes were observed in controls. In males, the largest improvements were observed in IMTP peak force (+10.6%; p<0.001, g = 2.04 [95% CI: 0.88, 3.21]) and trunk rotation peak power (+16.6%; p<0.001, g = 1.90 [95% CI: 0.76, 3.04]), whereas females demonstrated particularly pronounced increases in IBP peak force (+6.6%; p<0.001, g = 1.95 [95% CI: 0.76, 3.15]).
CONCLUSION:
Sixteen weeks of strength and power training resulted in substantial improvements in golf swing performance and mechanical muscle function in elite male and female golfers. Swing performance improvements were comparable between sexes, despite sex-specific adaptations across measures of muscle strength and power were evident.