Ocean City Sure Guide
JUNE 19 – JUNE 25, 2019
Pg. 54
Periodization effective way to prepare for golf season
By: GRADY BROZYNA MSPT, OCS, COMT
Residency & Fellowship Trained in OMT
Shore Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Summer is here and I am sure you prepared your golf bag. But how are your rotator cuffs, hip joints and spinal discs?
If you have not been preparing for the past four weeks, then they are not ready for that first tee giant swing to impress the foursome. You are also at prime potential for injury and poor performance. But don’t fret: it’s never too late to ready the body.
Strength and conditioning coaches use what is called periodization to prepare athletes. This breaks down the year into three main categories: Offseason, preseason and in season.
Periodization is designed so the athlete has time to work on recovery and weak areas of performance in the offseason, ramp up to peak form and power during preseason and maximize performance during the season. Golfers are power athletes with swings taking as little as 2 seconds. So golfers should be training for power, which involves strength and speed. And they should be reaching their maximal potential in the heart of summer. That means preseason is spring and offseason winter.
Offseason is when the golfer must take some time and let the repetitive motions stop so the body can heal.
Have a spa day or two to work out the byproducts that build inside the muscles and connective tissue during the season. Sample a yoga class or stretch class to lengthen the muscles that tightened up playing all summer and fall. After a few weeks of rest, the remainder of the offseason should be spent working on the skills for which you are weakest. If you want more distance on your drives, then build strength in your legs and core. Use exercises such as squats and step-ups, pull-ups and push-ups to build basic strength.
