Accumulative degenerative changes may predispose these individuals to impingements of the rotator cuff, bursa, or AC joint, in particular at the extremes of motion. In younger players, it appears that instability may be a factor in overuse injury. As with throwing sports, golfing requires substantial lower body contribution to the development of a powerful swing. The lower body and pelvis rotate ahead of the upper body during acceleration. For the forward swing, the main muscle activation is the latissimus dorsi, with assistance from the pectoralis major and rotator cuff.
Acceleration demonstrates an increased activity of the subscapularis and infraspinatus.
There is a dramatic increase in pectoralis major firing. During follow-through, the infraspinatus demonstrates a marked increase in activity. The pectoralis major, subscapularis, supraspinatus, and latissimus dorsi all participate. It is interesting to note that the supraspinatus is less important in golfing than with other sports, primarily due to the fact that golfing requires so little overhead movement. The biomechanics of the swing may give clues as to muscular or joint damage.