Physical activity level during a round of golf on a hilly course

Regular physical activity plays a role in preventive medicine. Our study aimed at establishing the duration of different levels of exercise intensity during a round of golf.

we studied 21 male and 9 female golfers (mean age 53 +/- 11 and 54 +/- 13 years respectively) volunteering for a round of golf on a hilly course.

we recorded mean heart rate (HR) of every 15 seconds. Blood pressure was taken on each tee. Maximum HR (HRmax) reserve of each subject was calculated from the difference between pre-exercise and maximum HR attained during a test to volitional exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. A percentage of this value was added to the resting HR and was expressed as a percentage of HRmax reserve.

Before start mean HR (+/- SD) was 86 +/- 11 beats per minute (BPM), during play 113 +/- 18, and during rest after play 100 +/- 24 BPM. Mean maximal HR of holes were 135 +/- 21 BPM. Mean systolic blood pressure was 145 +/- 30 before play, 137 +/- 31 on tees during play and 119 +/- 15 mmHg after play. A mean of 82 +/- 51 minutes was spent at 50-74% of HRmax reserve. 21 +/- 27 and 23 +/- 38 minutes were spent in the two higher intensity classes. An average of 106 +/- 77 minutes were spent at or above the individual heart rate equivalent of 100 W, the mean heart rate for this time was 128 +/- 17 BPM. Creatine kinase (+47%; p < 0.001), uric acid (+9%; p < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol (+6%; p < 0.05) increased, triglycerides decreased by 18% (p < 0.01).

The HR level during the golfround not using an electric cart relative to the maximum attained on the ergometer reaches the exercise intensity of 50 to > 85% HRmax reserve for a mean of over 2 hours, much longer than the 20-60 min recommended for endurance training.