American Golfer on Facebook

Friday, August 18, 2017

Golf Spectating Benefits Health, New Study Shows

Fans Averaged Nearly 12,000 Steps per Day, With 82.9% Achieving Their Recommended Daily Step-Count

(ST. ANDREWS, SCO) – The University of Edinburgh in conjunction with the Golf & Health Project released new research about the health benefits of golf spectating, showing those who attend golf events could potentially gain benefits similar to those playing in them.

The study is the first to assess spectator physical activity while watching golf, showing that of the fans surveyed, 82.9% met the recommended daily step-count levels by achieving on average 11,589 steps.

The study suggests that golf spectating can provide health enhancing physical activity; whilst also allowing spectators to spend time in green space, socialise with friends and family, and watch their sporting heroes compete in real life.

Those surveyed rated obtaining exercise as an important reason for attending golf events, equal to seeing star players, being part of the ‘atmosphere’ around an event, and getting fresh air.  60% also said they would like to be more physically active after the tournament.

These reasons for attending events could have benefits for event promoters in terms of engagement with spectators, local communities and funding organisations, along with wider public health implications in encouraging people to be more active more often.

The studies, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and BMJ Open Sports and Exercise Medicine are part of the Golf & Health Project, which is supported by the World Golf Foundation.

Researcher, Dr Andrew Murray, from the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, urges golf executives to emphasise the physical benefits of golf spectating:

“Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health, adding years to life and increasing health and happiness.  These pilot findings show golf spectators can experience physical activity to benefit their health while watching a top quality sport at close quarters.  This could have huge implications on event attendance and encouraging more people to attend a professional event or begin playing the sport.”

Further research could include assessing how best to provide physical activity information to spectators at events, larger and more representative samples allowing for a better estimation of accrued physical activity and potential gender and age differences, along with whether golf events could be used as ‘teachable moments’ to help educate and inform people on the benefits of physical activity in general.

Anecdotal evidence found that over 20,000 spectators had tagged all the checkpoint locations around the 2014 Ryder Cup site at Gleneagles walking 5 miles each, and collectively walking a distance equal to four times around the world. 6500 spectators completed a health walk of 10km each during China’s Shenzhen International in 2016, collectively walking the equivalent length of the Great Wall seven times.

The health benefits for spectators at tournaments may vary depending on weather conditions, culture, types of tournament and golf course terrain.

Further information, news and features on the Golf & Health Project: www.golfandhealth.org, @GolfAndHealth on Twitter and ‘Golf and Health’ on Facebook.

8 comments:

  1. Yeah, golf is pretty useful for health, as every sport. But it is necessary to relax correctly when you are in the sport. I prefer CBD products. In my opinion, you should learn the topic of cannabis more thoroughly if you take it. I know that cbd oils are really available now. I mean, you have an opportunity of buying CBD oil on Amazon and it was impossible some time ago. So, you still should be careful with it

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I played golf, I dislocated my shoulder very badly. Regular painkillers don't work for me. How can I get rid of pain?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been under a lot of stress at work lately and I found an article online that said cbd gummies could help with my problem. I bought it and have been taking it for a week now, I have become much calmer and I solve all problems in cold blood. I'm not worried about trifles and it's very cool. They also have low prices on their website, but the quality of CBD products is high.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think it's important to take care of your mental health as best you can nowadays. Tell me, have you tried magic mushrooms in microdoses?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi. Micro doses of magic mushrooms can be really good for your health, especially if you are in a bad mood, then a small dose of magic mushrooms from this wonderful store https://www.shrooms-online.net/ will quickly get you back to normal. You just have to try it yourself, but with great care, because otherwise you can get a bad effect.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey guys. My health is completely disorder and damaged. So I think you have some ideas and I really hope you will help me too in this problem. Thank you in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, I agree with you and I can tell you that you can check green roads coupon and get everything you need. It was recommended to me by my friend and I find it very convenient. So you also have to ask the locals and you will get what you want, I hope. By the way, I think it will help you with your deal.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What do you know about Cannabis seeds? I need your help with some stores where it will be possible for me to purchase some new CBD products to improve my wellbeing and health. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

    ReplyDelete