Why Do Older Adults Play Golf? An Evaluation of Factors Related to Golf Participation by Older Adults

Return to Golf After Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

CONTEXT

Patients experiencing pain from femoral acetabular impingement and considering hip arthroscopy may be concerned about their timeline to resume activities they enjoy, such as golf.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to review current literature on return-to-play data after hip arthroscopy and to provide clinicians with data to set proper expectations with patients.

DATA SOURCES

The following terms were used to search PubMed and Embase electronic databases on October 18, 2023: hip, arthroscopy, arthroscopic, golf.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they were in the English language, of Level 1 to 4 evidence, and contained data specific to golfers undergoing hip arthroscopy. Studies were excluded if they did not designate participants as golfers or did not specify return-to-play data. Editorials, case reports, and review articles were excluded. Screening was completed by 2 authors in a blind and duplicate manner.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

DATA EXTRACTION

The following datapoints were extracted from each study: hip pathology and arthroscopic procedure data; number of players returning to golf and time from surgery to return; outcome score(s); and rehabilitation details. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.

RESULTS

The search returned 400 studies, of which 4 were included for analysis. Of these 4 studies, 2 specified return-to-play time. Of 95 golfers, 90 (94.7%) returned to golf successfully after arthroscopic hip surgery. Subjective and objective outcome scores improved postoperatively, including an increased average drive distance.

CONCLUSION

Return to golf after hip arthroscopy is highly probable, with approximately 95% of patients throughout literature returning to play. A mean return time of 4.7 months for professional golfers and 7.2 months for amateurs, alongside improved subjective outcomes and performance metrics postsurgery, suggest patients can expect a relatively quick return to the course with similar or improved performance.

Effect of slope change on kinematics of amateur golfers' full swing

BACKGROUND

Golf courses are designed with uneven terrain. These factors are especially important when facing (slope), players need to straighten the posture of each part of the body in order to complete the swing on an inclined surface such as flat ground. Amateur players may be more likely to change the movement patterns of their shots due to uneven terrain. Therefore, it may be necessary to clarify the shot characteristics of amateur players and provide reference materials for technical improvement.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of slope on amateur golfers' swing kinematics by analyzing the variation of time variables, body center of gravity (COG), and shot parameters of amateur golfers' swing at different ground slopes.

METHODS

Six male amateur golfers participated in the experiment. The 7-iron was used for 5 swings each at three slopes: flat ground (FG, 0∘), ball below foot (BBF, +10∘), and foot below ball (FBB, -10∘). The OptiTrack-Motion capture system was used to collect kinematic data, and the three-dimensional motion data will be transmitted to Visual3D software for subsequent data analysis such as golf swing division and body COG changes. Shot parameters (carry, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor) were recorded for each swing using the Caddie SC300 radar monitoring device.

RESULTS

The results showed that there was no difference in the overall swing time and the time required for each interval at different slopes (p> 0.05) there is no significant difference in the change of the COG of the body in the forward and backward directions (p> 0.05). The three slopes of swing speed, ball speed, carry and smash factor were not significantly different (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rhythm of the amateur golfer's swing was not affected by the slope, but the slope restricts the movement of the body's COG, which may affect the weight movement, and ultimately cause the performance parameters to not reach the level of the FG.

Australian golfers with and without osteoarthritis report reduced psychological distress and improved general health compared to a general population-based sample

OBJECTIVES

To (i) evaluate psychological distress and general health in Australian golfers and compare with a general population-based sample, and (ii) explore the relationship between playing golf, psychological distress and general health in individuals with osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Cross sectional.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey collected outcomes in 459 Australian Golfers (Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale, Short-Form 12 (Health Status), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, osteoarthritis status). Outcomes were compared between Australian golfers and a general population-based sample (Australian Health Survey, n = 16,370). Modified Poisson regression estimated the relationship between playing golf and general health in all participants and a subgroup with osteoarthritis (n = 128 golfers, n = 2216 general population). All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education and smoking status.

RESULTS

Playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference (95 % confidence interval) -2.5 (-4.1 to -0.9)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.09 (1.05 to 1.13)) compared to the general population. Amongst people with osteoarthritis, playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference -4.0 (95 % confidence interval -6.5 to -1.5)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.3 (1.2 to 1.4)).

CONCLUSIONS

Golfers had lower levels of psychological distress and better general health than the general population, and this relationship was strongest in individuals with osteoarthritis.

"I Hear the Music and My Spirits Lift!" Pleasure and Ballroom Dancing for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Physical activity for older adults is recommended to encourage the maintenance of functional autonomy and improve mental health. Ballroom dancing involves aerobic, strength, and balance work and is an inherently a social activity. This 12-month qualitative study considered the influence of ballroom dancing on health and well-being in community-dwelling older adults. It explores an underreported aspect of physical activity, which may incentivize older people to participate, that is, pleasure. Qualitative data were managed and analyzed using the Framework Analysis approach. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 26 older adult ballroom dancers. Five typologies of pleasure were identified. In addition to "sensual pleasure," "pleasure of habitual action," and "pleasure of immersion," as suggested by Phoenix and Orr, the "pleasure of practice" and "pleasure of community" were also identified. Ballroom dancing produces a strong sense of embodied pleasure for older adults and should be promoted by health and exercise professionals for community-dwelling older adults.

Golf and Health, More than 18 Holes—A Bibliometric Analysis

Despite golf’s contribution to health, scientific production related to golf and health has been relatively scarce. This work aims to investigate the state of the art on golf and health and to identify existing gaps and the principal and most notable potential future research trends, contributing to connecting the reality of the facilities dedicated to the practice of this sport and its contribution to raising awareness of the importance of sport in maintaining health. A total of 179 articles were analyzed following the steps for systematic reviews and meta-analysis protocols based on the PRISMA 2020 methodology and QUORUM, and a bibliometric analysis was carried out. Research to date has mainly focused on the benefits of golf in improving health, preventing illness, slowing down aging, or as rehabilitation and on exploring the risks and injuries involved in playing golf. The different ways of promoting participation or changing the image of golf by showing its healthy side are outlined as research trends in the coming years. There is a lack of exploration of the use of technology, the effects of the sport on certain disorders related to psychosocial factors, and further knowledge of the relationships between playing intentions and health. This research provides essential information for researchers who plan to work with golf in the future.

From uro-oncologists' perspectives: golf as a means of improving wellbeing among prostate cancer survivors

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death among men. Due to related societal limitations, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic increases physical inactivity, which decreases cancer survivors’ functional capacity. As a result, golf might be a good way for prostate cancer survivors who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease to improve their musculoskeletal function, cardiorespiratory fitness, psychological function, and general quality of life. Aerobic activity’s ability to adjust hormone levels, prevent obesity, increase immunological function, and lower oxidative stress have all been identified as reasons for its benefit for prostate cancer survivors. Prostate cancer survivors must first complete a fitness evaluation supervised and recommended by a certified clinical exercise physiologist after consultations with a urologic oncologist before enrolling in a cancer-specific community golf program. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is currently the gold standard technique for the evaluation of cardiopulmonary fitness. Prostate cancer survivors should be placed in a group with regard to their fitness level if they pass this fitness test. Prostate cancer survivors can be grouped into four to five groups at a time. Golfing activities should include warm-up, driving range, and course activities (on-course golf play twice a week for a duration of 90 min per day or 180 min per week at moderate-intensity). From the uro-oncologists’ point of view, prostate cancer survivors can benefit from group-based community golf programs that can be recommended and designed for them through the collaboration of their physician and a certified exercise professional.

Twenty-one sports activities are recommended by the European Knee Associates (EKA) six months after total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

To elaborate recommendations for sports participation following TKA among the members of the European Knee Associates (EKA).

METHODS

A prospective online survey was conducted among the members of the European Knee Associates (EKA). The European Knee Associates (EKA) are a section of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). The survey investigated recommendations for 47 sports disciplines. Possible answers were: allowed, allowed if experienced, not allowed, no opinion. The survey was conducted separately for 4 specific time frames: within 6 weeks after TKA; 6-12 weeks after TKA; 3-6 months after TKA; and more than 6 months after TKA. Consensus among the respondents was then analyzed.

RESULTS

EKA members (N = 120) participated in the survey. A high level of consensus was reached for a recommendation to allow 5 different sports in the first 6 weeks after TKA, 7 sports 6-12 weeks after surgery, 14 sports 3-6 months after TKA, and 21 out of 47 activities 6 months after surgery. In the first 6 weeks after TKA walking, stair climbing, swimming, aqua fitness, and static cycling were recommended. Six to twelve weeks after TKA, cycling on level ground and yoga were recommended in addition to the aforementioned activities. Further sports activities recommended beyond 12 weeks after TKA were: tennis doubles, golf, fitness/weight lifting, aerobics, hiking, Nordic walking and sailing. The sport for which the recommendation was "not allowed" following TKA was squash.

CONCLUSION

The number of sports recommended by EKA surgeons increases stepwise over the postoperative time frames. The findings are regarded as clinically relevant as they may serve as a basis for answering patient questions on timing and giving recommendations for the resumption of sports activities following standard primary TKA and should be individualized by surgeons for their patients' expectations and goals.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.