A global consensus amongst leaders in public health, public policy and sport backs golf in the race to tackle physical inactivity and the prevention of a range of non-communicable disease, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer of the breast and colon.
Evidence linking golf and health, commissioned by the World Golf Foundation and supported by the R&A, was presented at the 7th Congress of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health held in London last week. The biennial scientific meeting is widely regarded as the world’s flagship physical activity and public health event attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 60 countries.
Recognition that playing golf has significant physical health and wellness benefits and can provide moderate intensity physical activity to persons of all ages, comes just months after the World Health Organisation published its Global Action Plan for Physical Activity. The plan targets one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents who are insufficiently active, and charts how countries can reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030.
The scientific consensus for golf is evidenced in research led by the University of Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Findings reveal that playing golf is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits, and further collaborative efforts to improve access for the sport are needed.
New studies are underway to discover if playing golf improves strength and balance, contributing to a key public health goal of fall prevention in healthy aging and into conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Marking the close of the ISPAH Congress, public health practitioners, policymakers and golf industry leaders were hosted at a satellite event in the Palace of Westminster by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.
Steve Brine, Minister for Public Health and Primary Care, said, “Physical activity of any type comes with a range of physical, social and mental benefits. For some, golf can be a great way to stay active and there’s growing evidence about ways the sport can help those living with long-term conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia. And for those who haven’t discovered their favourite sport, yet it’s never too late to get inspired, connect with people and improve your wellbeing.”
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Golf is working hard to encourage more people into the sport, who will realise its many health benefits. With 60 million golfers spanning six continents, golf has found common purpose in working with public health practitioners and policymakers to optimise the health benefits of playing the sport. We recognise the importance of the World Health Organisation Global Action Plan for Physical Activity and we will work with our affiliates and partners around the world to help improve health and well-being through golf”.
Annika Sorenstam, a global ambassador for golf and health, who attended the conference, said: “Golf is great for the health of people of all ages – it benefits those playing the sport and even tournament spectators. Given the health benefits, we must work together to make golf more accessible if we are to achieve our sport’s full potential.”