ABSTRACT
Before an injured golfer is ready to return to sport, he or she may incorporate partial swings into his or her rehabilitation. No scientific study has been conducted on partial swings previously; thus the objective of this study was to quantify and compare the mechanics of full and partial swings. The mechanics of 8 LPGA golfers were digitized using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. Results for the full swing were similar to previously published 2-dimensional data. In comparison to the full swing, the half swing showed a 2% to 31% reduction in upper extremity range of motion and a 12% to 37% reduction in acceleration. An understanding of full swing and partial swing mechanics can lead to more efficacious rehabilitation programs.
