This study was conducted to examine the relationship between shoulder horizontal abduction and elbow kinetics (anterior/posterior, compression/distraction, and valgus/varus) during the offside forehand polo swing. We hypothesized those polo players who exhibited greater shoulder horizontal abduction during the offside forehand would also exhibit greater forces about the elbow. Seventeen male professional polo players (35.8 ± 11.1 years; 81.0 ± 9.2 kg; 116.0 ± 17.1 cm) were recruited to participate. All kinematic data were recorded with an electromagnetic tracking system synced with The MotionMonitor®. Each participant performed three maximum effort offside forehand swings, and each trial was analyzed at three swing events: 1) take away, 2) top of back swing, and 3) ball contact, and two phases: 1) counter movement phase (from the event of take away to top of back swing); and, 2) acceleration phase (from top of back swing to ball contact). Results revealed an offside forehand shot with greater shoulder horizontal abduction exhibited greater elbow kinetics, thus supporting our hypothesis. These findings suggest that keeping the polo mallet in an acceptable swing path would minimize elbow kinetics and perhaps reduce injury. Future studies should gather offside forehand kinetic data from players on a moving horse and examine the relationship between shoulder horizontal abduction with elbow and shoulder kinetics.
