According to research, golfing lowers psychological distress and improves general health for people with Osteoarthritis compared to general population.
Brad Stenner An occupational therapist at the Alliance for research in exercise, nutrition and activity at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, said Mostly for older adults, golf is a health-enhancing source of physical activity.
Golf is affordable, fun and a sport for life, with clear mental and physical health benefits. People with Osteoarthritis often called “Wear and Tear” form of Arthritis.
Stenner said playing golf will reduce the levels of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes. Also maintains joint range of motion, strength endurance and contributes to mental health and well-being.
Golf appears to help to improve well-being which includes sense of belongings, exercise, friendship and community. A study shows that Golfers with or without Osteoarthritis had higher quality of life, and lower levels of psychological distress. Which is an indicator of depression and anxiety.
Stenner said many people with arthritis stop playing sports, but the impact of arthritis on playing golf is unknown. Stenner and his colleagues conducted a survey with 459 golfers with Osteoarthritis. 90% of golfers rated their health as good or very good. Compared with 64% of those in the general population who didn’t golf.
However, people with Osteoarthritis, 22% of non-golfers reported very high levels of psychological distress, compared with 8% of golfers.
Dr. Ariel Goldman, an orthopedic surgeon at Northwell Health in Great Neck N.Y said that it may seem counterintuitive that physical activity can reduce pain and improve well-being of people suffering from Osteoarthritis.
He also said that you cannot expect patients to have better reports of their pain, if they’re more physical active, since Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the cartilage in the joints which provides shock absorption and gliding.
Goldman said Golf is a relatively low- impact sport and plays a role in maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Especially when you don’t use the golf cart and walk the course.
Most of the study shows that low-impact physical activity helps the emotional and physical well-being of patients who are suffering from Osteoarthritis.
