Inclusion of lower-body and upper-body power exercises acutely improves distance-related measures in golf driving performance
Article
Brennan, A., Murray, A., Johansen, M., Couglan, D., Xu, J., Turner, A. and Bishop, C. 2026. Inclusion of lower-body and upper-body power exercises acutely improves distance-related measures in golf driving performance. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005642
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Inclusion of lower-body and upper-body power exercises acutely improves distance-related measures in golf driving performance |
| Authors | Brennan, A., Murray, A., Johansen, M., Couglan, D., Xu, J., Turner, A. and Bishop, C. |
| Abstract | The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of including upper-body and lower-body power interventions on distance-related swing measures in high-level amateur golf players. Eighteen male golf athletes completed two acute interventions, separated by one week. Golf shot data were recorded at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 15, 30, and 60-minute intervals. The upper-body intervention resulted in statistically significant, albeit trivial to small improvements in ball speed (g = 0.13-0.21), carry distance (g = 0.29-0.36), and smash factor (g = 0.14-0.27) across multiple time points, with no significant changes observed in clubhead speed (CHS). In contrast, the lower-body intervention demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all golf metrics, including CHS (g = 0.14-0.18), ball speed (g = 0.26-0.36), carry distance (g = 0.26-0.31), and smash factor (g = 0.16-0.35). In conclusion, both interventions elicited acute improvements in distance-related swing measures, with the lower-body intervention demonstrating a slightly superior influence on CHS. These findings suggest that low volume power exercises may be effectively integrated into pre-practice or pre-competition routines. However, practitioners should also consider the potential cumulative effects of combining both upper-body and lower-body power methods, as demonstrated by significant improvements in distance-related swing data across multiple time points. This suggests that practitioners can feel confident when implementing low volume power training interventions prior to golf practice or competition. |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Publisher | Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |
| Journal | The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research |
| ISSN | 1064-8011 |
| Electronic | 1533-4287 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 04 Aug 2026 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 30 Jun 2026 |
| Deposited | 03 Jul 2026 |
| Output status | Published |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The published version of record - Brennan, A., Murray, A., Johansen, M., Couglan, D., Xu, J., Turner, A., & Bishop, C. (2026). Inclusion of Lower-Body and Upper-Body Power Exercises Acutely Improves Distance-Related Measures in Golf Driving PerformanceJournal of Strength & Conditioning Research - is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005642 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005642 |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/368q7w
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