Anterior Pelvic Tilt In Golfers: Prevalence, Biomechanical Implications And Efficacy Of Corrective Interventions – A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Anterior pelvic tilt (APT) is a sagittal‐plane deviation marked by excessive anterior rotation of the iliac crests. Its prevalence is disproportionately high in golfers and has been linked to kinetic-chain disruption, reduced club-head speed, and a three-fold rise in lumbar‐spine injury risk

Methods: A narrative search of PubMed®, Scopus® and SPORTDiscus™ (2000–2024) was undertaken. Search terms combined “anterior pelvic tilt”, “golf”, “swing kinematics”, “lumbo-pelvic-hip complex”, “EMG”, and “rehabilitation”. Original studies, clinical trials and systematic reviews that (i) quantified APT or (ii) examined golf-specific interventions were included. Methodological quality was appraised with the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.

Results: Thirty-six studies (n = 1 241 golfers; handicap −4 to 28) met inclusion. Pooled prevalence of APT was 45 % (95 % CI 38–52) in amateurs and 22 % (CI 18–27) in professionals. Hip-flexor tightness (SMD = 1.12) and gluteus-maximus inhibition (↓35 % EMG amplitude) were the dominant impairments. APT ≥10° increased peak L4/5 compressive load by 25 % and reduced driving distance by 12 %. Integrated programmes combining hip-flexor stretching, posterior-chain strengthening and neuromuscular re-education corrected pelvic tilt by 5–7° and yielded a 6.4 % rise in club-head speed over 8–12 weeks.

Conclusion: APT is common, modifiable and clinically meaningful in golfers. Multimodal interventions restore pelvic neutrality, improve swing efficiency and mitigate low-back injury risk. Long-term, skill-stratified trials are now required to refine dosing and establish durability.