Gluteus medius kinesio-taping: the effect on torso-pelvic separation, ball flight distance and accuracy during the golf swing

Background. The kinesio-taping method, which is becoming increasingly popular, may provide support and stability to joints and muscles without inhibiting range of motion. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of kinesio-taping of the gluteus medius muscle on x-factor (torsopelvic separation), ball flight distance and accuracy (smash factor ratio). A specific aim was to determine whether a correlation exists between hip abduction strength and x-factor, ball distance and accuracy. Methods. This study is a one group pretest-posttest quasiexperimental design which took place at a golf facility. Twentynine amateur golfers with handicap of scratch ±2, who were between the ages of 18- and 25-years, participated in this study. Biomechanical outcomes were recorded with and without kinesio-tape applied on the gluteus medius muscle of the trail leg. Biomechanical golf swing analysis with the iClub™ Body Motion System determined the x-factor at the top of the backswing. Ball flight distance and accuracy were measured with FlightScope® and dominant hip abduction strength was measured with the MicroFET Hand-held Dynamometer. Results. Kinesio-tape is effective in improving the relative hip abduction strength (p<0.001), although the effect size was small (Cohen’s d=0.24). With regard to the biomechanical outcome measures, namely x-factor (p=0.28), ball flight distance (p=0.53) and accuracy (p=0.1), there was no significant improvement. Conclusion: Even though the relative hip abduction strength was improved, there was no effect on golf swing biomechanics. This can be explained due to the fact that x-factor, ball flight distance and accuracy are dependent on a combination of body movements to produce the golf swing. Keywords. Golf, X-factor, pelvic stability, tapin