Author(s): HUANG, M.Y.1,2, HUANG, J.Y.4, HO, Y.K.1, SUM, K.W.2,3, Institution: THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK), Country: HONG KONG, Abstract-ID: 1235

INTRODUCTION:
As people age, the range of suitable, safe, fun, and health-promoting sports activities becomes limited. However, there is one sport that can be played from 3 years old to 80 years old: golf. Compared to other sports, golf offers relatively low intensity and physical aggression, making it particularly suitable for the elderly. Regularly playing golf not only improves physical fitness but also nurtures temperament through moderate-intensity exercise that can be easily pursued by individuals of any age. Golf provides both physical and psychological benefits, fostering mindfulness during play, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep quality in older adults. Among various sports, the 4-6 miles of walking during a golf game (equivalent to over 8000 steps) already met the weekly exercise guideline outlined by the Physical Activity Guidelines of ACSM (2020). Moreover, golf movements can enhance shoulder, back, and hip mobility and stability, effectively preventing falls, the most common injury among the elderly.
METHODS:
Participants who completed both pre- and post-online or offline meetings and had at least 50% attendance were selected for final data analysis. Research questions were formulated by incorporating relevant topics from previous studies and conducting a cross-sectional survey design to measure height, weight, blood pressure, mental health, and overall well-being between the training group and control group.
RESULTS:
A total of 132 middle-aged or elderly golfers from Shenzhen city and Hong Kong, China, were recruited for this study, including 73 males and 59 females (age: 41.5 ± 12.5 years, height: 175.6 ± 8.5 cm, weight: 67.9 ± 17.6 kg, BMI (18.5-24.9). Among them, 29 were professional golfers, 61 were recreational golfers, and 42 were beginner golfers. The beginner group presents the lowest mean data (12.39).
CONCLUSION:
This study aimed to identify effective strategies for monitoring the long-term physical mobility and mental health benefits of golf adherence in middle-aged and older adults. After six months of investigation and research, the study concludes that golf provides significant physiological benefits. However, it is worth noting that many recreational golf players start later in life. Chinas golf infrastructure was imperfect in the 20th century, with limited availability of professional golf coaches and training courses, resulting in significant disparities in the reported player data. The beginner group demonstrated the most substantial psychological and physical benefits. Future researchers could expand upon this preliminary study by exploring the relationship between on-course adventure golf participation and specific personality traits. This may reveal additional implications, potentially improving the social happiness index and addressing the life pressures faced by urban individuals, which is an area worth exploring.