Physiotherapy Services in the 2023–2024 Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA) Tour: A Retrospective Evaluation of Injuries and Treatments
10.5763/kjsm.2026.44.1.41
- Author:
Kyung-mook SEO
1
;
Ji-soo YOON
;
Jae-soo LEE
;
Woon-yong SIM
;
Jeong-min CHOI
;
Byoung-min YUN
Author Information
1. Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Bumin Hospital Seoul, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Clinical Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine
2026;44(1):41-48
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:To evaluate the provision of physiotherapy services at 40 Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA) Tour tournaments during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Methods:Data from 300 registered KPGA Tour players (150 per season) who utilized physiotherapy services during 40 tournaments from April to November were analyzed. Services were categorized as physical contact (manual therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, cryotherapy, high-intensity laser, interferential current therapy, high-frequency therapy and noncontact (warm-up, cool-down). Records included golf-related injury sites and treatment methods.
Results:Physiotherapy services were provided over 200 days, with 9,126 total visits and 10,565 treatments (average 264 treatments per tournament). Physical contact treatments comprised 8,634 of all interventions (81.9%), with noncontact treatments at 1,931 (18.1%). Among 7,972 recorded golf-related injuries, spinal issues accounted for 63.6%, lower limb 23.0%, and upper limb 13.4%. Lower back injuries were most prevalent (33.1%), followed by neck and upper back. Manual therapy was the predominant treatment (61%), followed by warm-up and taping.
Conclusion:This study provides insights into physiotherapy service utilization on the KPGA Tour and suggests effective intervention methods for golf-related injuries. Results indicate that physiotherapy services play an important role in injury prevention and treatment, supporting the establishment of systematic injury management systems for professional golfers.
