By Sean M. Cochran
Special to PGATOUR.com

Last week we introduced the topic of lower back injuries in the sport of golf. Research points to the fact that 50 percent of all recreational golfers will incur a lower back injury at some point in their playing careers. Studies have also been able to identify reasons why such a high incidence rate of injury to the lower back often occurs.

First and foremost, the biomechanics of the golf swing place large amounts of stress on the musculature of the lower back. The amount of stress is dependent upon the efficiency at which the biomechanics of the golf swing are performed. Less efficient mechanics require the musculature of the lower back to work harder to execute the golf swing, thus resulting in greater amounts of stress and fatigue in this area of the body.

Research has also indicated that the amateur golfer, relative to a PGA TOUR professional, has a less efficient golf swing, which results in the body (i.e. muscles of the lower back) having to work much harder to execute the golf swing. As a result, the percentage of injury is much higher.

All of this points to the first step in preventing lower back injuries, which is to develop more efficient swing mechanics. This will result in less stress being placed upon the lower back, thus lowering the chance of injury.

In addition to developing more efficient swing mechanics, the golfer, whether a professional or an amateur, must look at an additional component to prevent such injuries.

The golf swing is classified as a repetitive biomechanical movement, meaning the golfer executes the same movement pattern over and over again. This requires the same muscles to fire in a sequential order to execute the golf swing. Over time, regardless of the efficiency within your swing, these muscles become fatigued. Once this occurs the execution of the swing is compromised and the possibility of injury from fatigue increases dramatically.

Lower back exercise.

To counteract this fatigue caused by the repetitive movement of the golf swing, one must implement a golf-specific strength and conditioning program. Such a program will increase the musculature strength and endurance capacities of the muscles involved in the golf swing, which includes the lower back. This will allow you to execute the repetitive movements of the golf swing over and over again successfully and without fatigue, thus reducing the chance of a lower back injury.

In review, we have two components to assist in the prevention of lower back injuries from the golf swing. The first is the development of more efficient mechanics, thus placing less stress on the lower back. Number two is the implementation of a golf-specific strength and conditioning program, utilized to develop the required levels of strength and endurance to execute the golf swing without fatigue.

A strength and conditioning program will help counteract fatigue caused by repetitive movement.

Next week we will discuss some drills and exercises to assist in this process.

Sean M. Cochran is the personal strength and conditioning coach for 2006 Masters winner Phil Mickelson. He is co-owner of BioForceGolf.com and the author of several books, including most recently, Your Body & Your Swing. Cochran, who has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres as well as working individually with players like Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, started working with professional golfers, most notably Mickelson (who won the 2004 and 2006 Masters, and the 2005 PGA Championship), in 2002. Recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities in golf-specific strength training, he has spoken at numerous seminars and clinics around the country. BioForceGolf.com was founded in late 2004 to respond to the need of the amateur golfer for quality information on golf-specific-strength training. The site provides subscribers the highest quality information in the areas of golf training, nutrition, and general instruction.