Playing golf may be better for your health than Nordic walking
A study shows golf has the biggest effect on blood fats and the metabolism of glucose, which keeps blood sugar levels stable.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Playing golf may be just as good – or better – than Nordic walking for older people, a small study suggests.
Nordic walking involves using a specific technique which uses the power of the upper body and walking poles to provide a more vigorous workout than just walking.
But a new study, published online in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, found that rounds of golf may be more likely to provide health benefits.
Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland analysed data for 16 men and nine women who were golfers, healthy and aged 65 and over.
Despite the lower exercise intensity of golf, the longer duration and higher energy expenditure appeared to have a more positive effect on lipid profile and glucose metabolism compared with Nordic walking and walking
The team looked at three aerobic exercises – an 18-hole round of golf, 6km (3.7 miles) of Nordic walking, and a 6km (3.7 miles) regular walk – and measured the effects on blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids (such as cholesterol).
To do this, they took blood samples, blood glucose finger-prick tests and measured blood pressure, while people in the study also wore fitness measuring devices to record things such as distance, duration and pace.
Those people taking part also wore an ECG sensor with a chest strap to measure their heart rate.
The results showed that all three types of aerobic exercise improved cardiovascular health in older adults, including by lowering blood pressure.
However, the study suggested it was golf that seemed to have the biggest effect on blood fats and the metabolism of glucose, which keeps blood sugar levels stable.
The researchers said: “Despite the lower exercise intensity of golf, the longer duration and higher energy expenditure appeared to have a more positive effect on lipid profile and glucose metabolism compared with Nordic walking and walking.
“These age-appropriate aerobic exercises can be recommended to healthy older adults as a form of health-enhancing physical activity to prevent cardiovascular diseases and can also be used as a treatment strategy to improve cardiometabolic health among those who already have a cardiovascular disease.”
Sindy Jodar, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Any amount of physical activity, no matter how long or short, is good for heart and circulatory health.
Taking up exercise in later life - even if you’ve never done much before - can still bring health benefits
“The current guidelines recommend aiming for 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, and this can be split into short sessions that suit your lifestyle.
“Taking up exercise in later life – even if you’ve never done much before – can still bring health benefits.
“Check with your doctor first about what exercise is right for you if you have a heart or circulatory condition.”