“Father Time is undefeated.” This is an old adage used in sports to describe aging athletes. It means that all athletes eventually experience old age, diminished performance, and increased injury risk, all of which may lead to retirement. Yes, Father Time affects all athletes. However, this does not necessarily mean that people will become totally inactive. In fact, according to Dr. Adnan Qureshi from the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institutes and University of Missouri, older adults can continue to play a sport like golf with associated health and social benefits.
From the Cardiovascular Health Study, Dr. Qureshi analyzed data for 5,900 adults aged 65 and older from 1989 to 1999. Specifically, he focused on two groups: non-golfers and regular golfers, who were defined as having played the sport at least once a month. After the 10-year study concluded, he discovered that golfers had a substantially lower death rate – 15.1% – compared to non-golfers – 24.6%. Equally important, Dr. Qureshi emphasized that golf can have social benefits such as interacting with other older adults with common interests. Because some elderly may feel lonely or isolated in retirement, golf provides an outlet for socialization and stress relief. Golf also provides a less strenuous alternative to sports like basketball and football due to lower intensity and contact. Other benefits include regular exercise that can aid in weight control, rested sleep, and increased energy.
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Dr. Qureshi admits that more research is needed for the relationship between cardiovascular health and golf. He hopes to explore whether golf can affect other health conditions such as decreasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. He also wants to address whether race or gender play a role in health benefits for older adults in the future.
As mentioned earlier, there are a myriad of reasons why golf is so popular among the older generation. Yes, everyone eventually grows old, but that should not stop people from staying active and playing sports. Golf is a great option, especially for those affected by Father Time. With positive health and social effects, golf can be a hole-in-one for longevity.
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