Physical activity is associated with decreased risk factors of coronary artery disease. Golf is a leisure activity popular with males and females in the world. Although previous studies have reported the regular golf participation enhances fitness and...
Physical activity is associated with decreased risk factors of coronary artery disease. Golf is a leisure activity popular with males and females in the world. Although previous studies have reported the regular golf participation enhances fitness and decreases obesity, the exercise intensity and energy cost during a round of golf have not been characterized. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the intensity and energy cost of playing 9 holes of golf with and without an electricalcart.Professional golf player (n = 12) participated in a randomized crossover design. Subjects (31 ± 0.7 yrs) have experienced golfing for at least 7 yrs. All subjects completed a graded treadmill test. During golfing, oxygen consumption and heart rate were measured using a portable metabolic system. Additionally, steps were counted during golfing. The total energy expenditure with and without an electrical cart was 1238.2 ± 48.3 kcal and 1889.2 ± 73.0 kcal, respectively and steps were approximately 6802 count and 12000 count during 9 holes of play. The exercise intensities with and without an electrical cart was 17.9 ± 0.8 % and 26.1 ± 1.3 % of VO2max, and 48.7 ± 0.8 % and 55.3 ± 0.9 % of HRmax, respectively. Golfing with and without an electrical cart was below the exercise intensity and met energy expenditure requirements for health benefits specified by the American College of Sports Medicine in 2008 and steps exceeded 10,000 steps recommended by previously published physical activity guideline during 18 holes of play. These results indicated that energy expenditure consuming more than 2,000 kcal during golfing is likely to improve health. Golfing may be a suitable physical activity for middle-aged and elderly persons to prevent obesity and enhance energy expenditure.