Strength training vs. strength + micro-dosed swing speed training: a comparison of 6-week interventions in university male and female golfers

The aim of the present study was to compare a 6-week strength and conditioning (S&C) training intervention (CONTROL; n = 5) against a 6-week S&C + micro-dosed maximal swing speed training (SWING; n = 6) intervention, in University male and female golfers. Pre and post-intervention testing consisted of golf shots with a driver, and physical capacity assessments consisted of an isometric squat, countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric bench press, rotational medicine ball throw for distance, and seated thoracic spine rotation for mobility. When considering within-group changes, the SWING group showed significant improvements in a total of eight test measures (g range = 0.46-2.24; p < 0.05) and one significant reduction in force at 100 ms during the isometric bench press (g = -1.15; p < 0.05). For the CONTROL group, no significant changes were evident for any test. When focused on between-group changes, the SWING group showed significantly greater improvements in smash factor (g = 2.31; p < 0.05), medicine ball throw for distance to the left (g = 1.83; p < 0.05) and thoracic spine mobility to the right (g = 1.62; p < 0.05). Conversely, the CONTROL group showed a significantly greater improvement in CMJ peak power (g = -1.98; p < 0.05). In summary, the inclusion of a micro-dosed maximal swing speed training programme appears to elicit favourable improvements in a golfer’s efficiency of strike (smash factor) and some measures of physical capacity which represent kinematically similar movements to the golf swing.