24
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Fit For
Sisters
Andrew Luscutoff
Columnist
Golf Fitness
for a summer of
great rounds
Golf is a popular activ-
ity in Sisters Country — but
it brings with it some aches
and pains.
A quick review of the
statistics reveal a com-
mon trend: Low back pain,
elbow tendonitis, plan-
tar (foot) tendonitis, knee
pain, and shoulder pain.
The repeated stress of twist-
ing and explosive swinging
put unaccustomed stress
on the joints and surround-
ing tissues. These aches
and pains can be avoided
with a little preventative
maintenance.
To understand how to
avoid these injuries one
must first understand the
mechanics of a golf swing.
Local physical therapist
Matt Kirchoff, who has
a penchant for working
with golfers, says the most
important factors are the
flexibility of the upper and
middle back (shoulder area)
as well as the hips.
“With many of the golf-
ers that I work with I see
two key areas that lead to
injuries, and those are lim-
ited mobility of hips and
thoracic spine,” he said.
“Good mobility here is
essential to not only prevent
injuries but also to increase
club head speed and power
into the ball at impact.”
Without diligence in
exercises and constant
upkeep of mobility, it is a
challenge to maintain the
level needed for an unen-
cumbered swing. That’s
especially true consider-
ing the day-to-day position
many work in — seated,
with the shoulders for-
ward and the hips in a chair
position. Both of these do
not promote the mobility
desired for effective swing
mechanics.
George Anderson, DPT,
of La Grande says:
“What I see with some
recreational golfers is their
sedentary-job-related pos-
tures lead to tightness of
all regions of the shoulders,
spine and hips. Inflexibility
will adversely affect a golf-
er’s back swing and swing
speed. If not addressed
through proper conditioning
(this) can lead to an overuse
injury.”
How does one go about
preparing oneself for the
golf swing? Simple exer-
cises which work on flex-
ibility, core stability, and
rotational strength are all
important.
Kirchoff says, “If you
watch some of the top golf-
ers of the PGA tour, their
drives look effortless, and
that is a result of sequenced
hip and thoracic spine
mobility.”
This can be achieved
with a well-thought-out
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and executed regimen of
exercises.
In order to know what
the right exercises are,
seek out a specialist to
help. To start, Kirchoff
recommends the Titleist
Performance Institute
webpage as an excellent
resource to explore. This is
a database of golf-related
exercises lead by leaders
in the game. Although this
is a great way to start, it
is important to remember
that instruction and demon-
stration are crucial to help
make sure proper form is
used.
A person-to-person les-
son on exercises is the best
approach. A specialist can
assess what areas are immo-
bile and need the most work.
This person can assist in
demonstration, talk a person
through the exercises, and
ensure that they are being
done correctly.
There are many, many
people who can offer such
a service in Central Oregon.
Once these exercises
have been mastered, the
golfer will find new poten-
tial in their game, they will
avoid injury, and find them-
selves playing more often.
All with a few sessions a
week performing specific,
targeted exercises.
Pamela underwood assists Kaitlynn Davenport, 8, sewing a patchwork
beanbag while young assistant Grace Finch, 10, looks on.
QUILT SHOW:
Education is an
important component
Continued from page 16
Artists, crafters, and quil-
ters from around the world
donated hundreds of hand-
crafted fabric postcards for
sale and auction during quilt
week and during the quilt
show.
Sally Rogers from Eagle
Crest was on hand volunteer-
ing for the Wish Upon a Card
project. She has been volun-
teering for the quilt show for
15 years. Rogers also had
quilts on display, including
one inspired by a Jean Wells’
pattern, “Log Cabin With an
Amish Twist.”
“I love seeing what people
put together using different
patterns and colors,” Rogers
said.
SOQS continued on
S u n d a y, s p o n s o r e d b y
FivePine Lodge & Conference
Center. FreeSpirit Fabric pre-
sented guest speaker Kathy
Doughty with a self-guided
tour of her quilts.
Each year hundreds of vol-
unteers and businesses pitch
in to help in any way they can
before, during, and after the
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show,
and each year the show con-
tinues to evolve and grow.
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