Effects of Whole-body Electromyostimulation on Golf Performance in Amateur Golfers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Golf is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. However, the biomechanical and motor challenge of golf should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, only very few amateur golfers carry out serious preparation and conditioning as part of a strength/stabilization program. The main argument for this limitation is the aspect of limited time resources. A solution to this problem could therefore be the time-effective and highly individualizable whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) technology. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 16 weeks of WB-EMS application on trunk stability and clubhead speed in male amateur golfers in a (randomized) controlled setting.

Official Title
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Effects of Whole-body Electromyostimulation on Clubhead Speed and Stability in Ambitious Amateur Golfers - a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Athletic Performance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Electromyostimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Golfhandicap ≤20, members of the Golfclub München-Eichenried Exclusion Criteria: diseases and medication that did not allow WB-EMS training (see contraindications WB-EMS) or enable proper assessment of clubhead speed (in cases of doubt, individual medical decision), resistance and/or WB-EMS Training during the last 6 months, more than two expected missed WB-EMS sessions

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized controlled trial with two study groups in parallel: (1) Whole body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) or 16 weeks (b) non WB-EMS control
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Whole-Body Electromyostimulation<br>WB-EMS once per week for for 16 week (85 Hz, 350 µs, bipolar, duty cycle 4s-4s) | Device: Electromyostimulation<br>* WB-EMS once per week 20 min for 16 weeks<br>|
| No Intervention: Non WB-EMS control<br>No WB intervention, but maintained physical activity and habitual exercise habits | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clubhead speed | Changes of clubhead speed as determined by a radar-based system (TrackMan, Scottsdale, USA) | At baseline and after16 weeks (i.e. over 16 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trunk stability as determined by | Changes of maximum isometric trunk strength (index of trunk extension/-flexion; lateral flexion and trunk rotation) as determined by an isometric testing device | At baseline and after16 weeks (i.e. over 16 weeks) | 
| Clubhead speed | Changes of clubhead speed as determined by a radar-based system (TrackMan, Scottsdale, USA) | At baseline and after 8 weeks (i.e. over 8 weeks) |