GOLFERS KNEES HEAT UP

INTERVIEW with Frank Drollinger, Inventor of Free-Release

„United Golfers has discovered the main cause of cartilage damage and osteoarthritis in golfers: increased temperatures in a golfer’s knee joint as well as friction and pressure are the causes of cartilage damage to the knee joint.
The solution is the Free-Release Golf Shoe with the naturally swiveling sole."

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Hi Frank, what’s been going on at United Golfers during recent months?

Frank Drollinger:
I am very glad to announce that the Technical University of Munich has requested a doctoral thesis on the advantages of the Free-Release golf shoe, with regard to reducing friction in the knee.
The Charité Hospital in Berlin, globally renowned experts in the field of instrumented implants, will conduct further research into golfers and implants in connection with Free-Release.
Together with the Fraunhofer Institute in Freiburg we are also examining the temperature changes, "high temperatures," in the knee which arise in golf where our solution is not applied.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Changes in temperatures in the knee? How does this concern your shoe with the naturally swiveling sole?

Frank Drollinger:
People smiled condescendingly when I said that torsional forces in the knee also affect the tibia. In the meantime this theory has been confirmed by the double stress fracture of the tibia suffered by Tiger Woods and it has emerged that such specific stress fractures are not uncommon occurrences in golf.
My next theory, which has been confirmed by research in leading research institutes, is that the increases in temperature caused in the knee by torsional friction result in medium-term damage to soft tissue, proteins and bones. Yet cartilage in particular is injured. At the molecular level, degeneration of cellular proteins with temporary loss of function occurs upwards of 104°F. Above 113°F the thermal stress leads to denaturation and hence to a permanent loss of structure and function in elemental and functional proteins. Heidelberg University and the Charité Hospital Berlin were able to measure temperatures of over 104°F in healthy knee joints and implants alike.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
What does this mean?

Frank Drollinger:
This means what we have been saying for a while: where outdated golf biomechanics which has remained unchanged for 60 years is in use, micro-injuries are caused in the knee for many reasons.
A golf instructor has statutory obligations of protection in relation to his pupil, and for reasons of criminal law is not allowed to teach methods which cause injury to his pupils.
Furthermore, according to the rules of golf, nobody should be intentionally injured or exposed to risk. Such behavior is not consistent with the spirit of the game. For this reason we, United Golfers, aid and protect golf instructors through our further training series to become a "Master Instructor Golf & Health according to the Free-Release Method". Our doors remain wide open for other teaching associations.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Does this mean that golf instructors immediately have to convert to the Free-Release Method if they wish to avoid liability under criminal law or the risk of having to pay damages, hospital expenses and loss of earnings out of their own pockets?

Frank Drollinger:
Precisely. The temperature measurements have proved a causal connection between injuries to the cartilage where outdated golf biomechanics was in use, proof which will stand up in court.

Dr. med. Christian Reichardt:
Why is a reduction in torsion so important to golfers?

Frank Drollinger:
There is no cure for damage to cartilage in the knee or ankle joints, in the hips or spine. Never. Once damaged – always damaged.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
You often mention the Free-Release Method, how does it differ from the traditional golf swing method?

Frank Drollinger:
The Free-Release Method is the leading technique among all golf swing methods. The main factor is that we are able to implement the Balance 1 phase so important to the moment of impact, in unmatched quality.
With the Free-Release Method the golf swing also becomes simpler since during the backswing we rotate around the neutral axis we have defined, without having to shift our weight.
We have defined biomechanical movements and terminology which have never been seen in traditional golf methods.
For example, the hypermobile center of gravity of the body to be found in traditional golf biomechanics, which is transformed in the Free-Release Method into a stable center of gravity. But active and passive leg work, Balance 1 and Balance 2, strong rotational thrust, impulse initiator big toe joint, neutral axis and power axis are all new definitions.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
What is Balance 1?

Frank Drollinger:
We read everywhere that balance is crucial to the moment of impact. This has always been a rather broad and imprecise definition. I have divided the balance during a golf swing into two phases: Balance 1, from the set-up position through the backswing up to the moment of impact, and Balance 2, the phase between impact and the finish.
Such balance can only be illustrated objectively by measuring the body’s center of gravity. A good center of gravity is achieved with a shift of a mere 2 cm during Balance 1; measurements of over 8 cm are poor, and we then speak of a hypermobile shift in the center of gravity.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
You also mentioned a change in paradigms in golf – what did you mean?

Frank Drollinger:
All golfers used to believe that the playing pros on tour had perfect golf swings – biomechanically speaking. However, this is not the case.
Harrington, Woods, Singh all have driving accuracy (FIR) rates of less than 59%. Only few tour players achieve up to 80%. The Free-Release Method enables us to reach sustainable rates of about 90% on fair golf courses. Singh and colleagues have a potential for improvement by 50% using the FRM. Take a few moments to savor this: a potential for improvement by 50% among the top players on tour.
In addition, almost all tour professionals suffer from complaints or injuries. What makes us ill cannot be good biomechanically.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Would the Free-Release golf shoe be something for Tiger Woods?

Frank Drollinger:
It definitely would. His medical department is aware of our solution. I had a face-to-face meeting with one of his coaches in the US. They view our solution favorably. They are very intelligent people who have to make difficult decisions.
There is no alternative to the Free-Release Method and the Free-Release golf shoe in order to relieve his knee of the torsional strain whilst achieving the same or a better quality of golf swing. Traditional biomechanics exerts a strain of considerably more than 1,000 Nm on his knee; we can reduce this strain down to less than 20 Nm.
Had Mr. Woods worn the Free-Release golf shoe at an earlier point in time, the damage to the cartilage in his knee and his tibia stress fracture could have been avoided. This precisely is our concern: Prophylaxis by wearing the Free-Release golf shoe and an enhanced quality of swing by adopting our biomechanically optimized method.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Let’s assume that Mr. Woods does not switch to Free-Release. What will happen?

Frank Drollinger:
A double stress fracture of the tibia is bad news but it will heal, the ACL tear could be repaired by the implant of own tissue. Yet both injuries will be difficult to forget even after they have healed. This problem should not be underestimated. In our brains we have an area called the amygdale, which is where movements that cause pain are stored. This is the reason why Tiger "jumped" shortly before the moment of impact, because the amygdale ordered: "no pain". If he were wearing the Free-Release golf shoe, the amygdale would say: "No problem, almost no torsional strain on the knee – let it flow. Greetings to United Golfers."
It is essential for the stability of the knee joint that the ACL injury heals. A damaged ACL leads 100% to severe osteoarthritis and in the worst case to an artificial knee joint. 130,000 knee joints are replaced by artificial knees each year in Germany, in the US the figure is about 500,000 replacements per year.
The real problem is damage to cartilaginous tissue. I have not seen the CT results, but if one fails to treat the causes of such an injury – i.e. torsional forces which under the
pressure of the body’s weight cause friction and increased temperatures in his left knee – then it is only a question of time and Tiger Woods will only be able to build golf courses. That would be a catastrophe for the sport of golf.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
So do you believe there is a considerable risk that his career will be coming to an end?

Frank Drollinger:
Yes - unless his medical experts take action. Look at Alex Cejka. Injury to the cervical vertebrae. No change in his biomechanics, the result being that he has lost 30 meters in length. Look at Annika Sörenstam who was out for 2 years after an injury, only to announce her final season. A golfer suffers from torsional strain not only in the knee, but also in the foot, the ankle joint, the tibia, the hips, and the most common problems occur in the spine. The golfing world needs Tiger Woods – he is almost irreplaceable.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Does Tiger Woods have a considerable responsibility towards his fans?

Frank Drollinger:
In my view towards children and juniors especially. If one appreciates that traditional biomechanics has caused injuries and that it is possible to halt these injuries as of today and to avoid their further progression and hence to demonstrate to thousands of children and young people, "look, I am wiser than I was yesterday," then this is a highly responsible decision.
If, however, one shows the world that one has not learned anything, makes the same mistakes as yesterday and has to take strong painkillers in order to numb the pain, without working on solving the underlying problems, namely torsional strain on the knee, then this is a dangerous attitude for a role model to take.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
What would your advice be to Tiger Woods?

Frank Drollinger:
I believe Tiger Woods is the sportsman of the century. There has never been and probably never will be anybody like him again. What I admire so much is not just his fantastic game but particularly his planning and discipline. It was Tiger and his team who recognized that nutrition, athletics, stamina and biomechanical measurements are what make the difference to the other competitors.
It was Tiger who showed us that a golf coach alone is not enough, that you have to gather around you a team of experts and specialists.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
I insist: What would be your advice to Tiger Woods?

Frank Drollinger:
I would advise Tiger and his coaches to consider how they can reduce the causes of his injuries without any loss in length or precision.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
How would this question be resolved?

Frank Drollinger:
A measurable improvement in Balance 1, to be achieved by turning passive into active leg work, by rotating around the neutral axis on the backswing and by transferring the shearing and torsional forces into the Free-Release golf shoe with the naturally swiveling sole after impact. At the same time he could also improve his driving accuracy from 59% to between 80% and 100% by adopting the Free-Release Method.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
If Tiger asked you to coach him – would you accept such an offer?

Frank Drollinger:
No. That is not my job. We would conduct an intensive Free-Release briefing with Tiger’s coach, his biomechanics experts and his physio-coach. His team of medical experts is also important here because they would have to be familiar with and understand the optimized biomechanics in order to be able to provide the best possible care.
Mr. Woods has the best team of coaches, medical experts and advisors around him that I have ever seen. There is no reason to make any changes there. But what he does have to change is the biomechanics of his golf swing in order to rid himself of the torsional strain on his body without losing length or precision. We can offer solutions to this problem.
When tour pros register for a fitting with us, I always ask them to bring their coach and their physiotherapist along with them. Often the medical practitioner providing treatment will call and bring the patient along.
For us, the coach, the medical practitioner and the physiotherapist are more important than the tour professional, since it is they who have to make long-term plans with the player and work sustainably.
Incidentally, the physiotherapist is just as important as the golf coach since he specifically trains the motorically required muscles, e.g. for active leg work.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Would you say that Tiger’s swing coach Hank Haney is partly to blame for his injuries?

Frank Drollinger:
No. Hank is an excellent coach but not a clairvoyant. The Free-Release Method was only introduced in November 2007. Hank does not bear any blame. But in future coaches will have to learn and permanently seek out improvements – and any intelligent coach will come across Free-Release. As already mentioned, there is no biomechanical alternative to Free-Release. Free-Release is high-end golf swing quality.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Are there other long-term solutions available to Tiger?

Frank Drollinger:
No. We are by a long shot the cutting edge in the world in "biomechanical and sports-medical research in connection with golf". There is no alternative to the Free-Release Method or to the Free-Release golf shoe.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Do your customers only come when they suffer from injuries?

Frank Drollinger:
Do you clean your teeth only when you have a cavity? The wiser and more educated a golfer is, the more he or she takes preventive health care measures. Moreover, your golf game improves where Free-Release golf biomechanics is applied. The fun factor rises.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Are there other well-known golf professionals who suffer from injuries?

Frank Drollinger:
Singh, Garcia, Langer, Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Cejka, Miriam Nagel, Annika, Duffy Waldorf, Parnevik, – in fact all of them. Traditional golf swing biomechanics leads to severe injuries at an earlier or later point in time.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
You also champion the cause of children and juniors?

Frank Drollinger:
It is important to provide preventive care to children and juniors. United Golfers - Dr. Härle and myself - champion this cause together with Prof. Dr. Siewert from the Orthopedic Clinic in Kassel and Prof. Dr. Veit Wank from the University of Tübingen / Germany. We recently conducted a survey among 5,000 medical practitioners, the results of which will be submitted to the corresponding associations. The reason is that children and juniors who play golf have no lobby apart from United Golfers that takes care of their health.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
What does the Golf Balance Trainer do?

Frank Drollinger:
Here again, we have to be patient until – in all likelihood – we are granted the US patents. This is certain in the meantime. The Golf Balance Trainer is incidentally the only device for training Balance 1 and Balance 2 and for improving passive leg work so that it becomes active leg work. The necessary muscles are also trained intensely. It is the perfect secret training device for home or the office, for health clubs, good hotel spas and physiotherapists.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
Do you offer training courses as well?

Frank Drollinger:
We offer a number of training possibilities for golf instructors, tour coaches, physiotherapists, medical practitioners, orthopedic and sports medicine experts, club fitters and fitness coaches. With Free-Release physiotherapists and medical practitioners will play a larger role than previously in the sport of golf, as qualified advisors and coaches. One of the main components of the courses is to show how torsional forces can be reduced and how Balance 1 can be practiced in measurable quality with pupils and patients.
The response has been overwhelming – our courses are very full.

Dr. Christian Reichardt, MD:
What would you wish for United Golfers?

Frank Drollinger:
A market research study among our major Japanese customers revealed that the Free-Release Golf Shoe will be the No. 1 product. Isn’t that good news?
Larry from Florida, USA, who has a severe knee injury, wrote: "Dear Frank, I truly thank GOD that I met you last year in Orlando. You have given me back the pleasure of playing golf again." I don’t think we can wish for much more.

UGO shows:
PGA Merchandise Show
January 29-31, 2009 / Orlando
Booth # 1473
“Introduction IQ300 line”

United Golfers- the #1 company for the op timization of biomechanics in the golf swing!

United Golfers GmbH
Carl-Benz-Str. 6
75217 Birkenfeld
Germany

75 Broad Street
21st. Floor
New York, NY 10004
USA

Email: IQ300@FREE-RELEASE.com
Presscontact: Melinda Klose

Homepage: www.free-release.com

This release was published on openPR.