Regular Golf Rounds could help you to Live Longer
A new study shows that playing just one round of golf a month could reduce the risk of death in older adults.
The study analysed data over a ten year period, featuring 5,900 Americans, 384 of which were golfers, aged 65 and older. When comparing the death rates in the group it was discovered that regular golfers, those who played one or more rounds a month, were significantly lower (by almost 10%) than non-golfers.
“Our study is perhaps the first of its kind to evaluate the long-term health benefits of golf, particularly one of the most popular sports among older people in many countries,” Dr. Adnan Qureshi, lead author of the study and a professor of neurology at the University of Missouri, said in a statement. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans does not yet include golf in the list of recommended physical activities. Therefore, we are hopeful our research findings could help to expand the options for adults to include golf.”
While older adults might not be able to partake in more vigorous exercises, golf provides the perfect balance of a low-intensity, low-impact workout with the positive benefits of fresh air and social interactions.
But this isn’t the first study to show the absolute benefits of the game. In 2018 an article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, revealed regular rounds of golf could help to reduce risk factors for heart disease and stroke as well as have added benefits for the mind and body. The panel reviewed more than 300 studies on the sport to determine its many positives, including the improvement of strength and balance (especially in older players).
No more need to feel guilty about booking in more rounds. The science behind it demands you get out on the golf course!
