Strength and Balance in Recreational Golfers Aged Over 80 Years

Muscle strength and balance decrease with age, particularly in those over 80. Playing golf is associated with greater strength and balance in 65-79-year-olds, but it is not known if this occurs in the over 80s. Strength and balance of golfers aged over 80 years were assessed and compared with data obtained by the same research group on golfers and nongolfers aged 65-79 years. Over 80 golfers (n = 38) had similar normalized grip strength, single-leg balance, and leg power calculated from the 30-s sit-to-stand test, to the 65-79 nongolfers (n = 17). Composite Y balance test and anterior reach distances were significantly lower (right and left p < .001) for the over 80 golfers compared to the 65-79 nongolfers. The over 80 golfers had significantly lower reach distances for the Y balance test, single-leg stance times, lower limb power, and grip strength on the left side than the 65-79 golfers (n = 62). Playing golf may help slow the decline in grip strength, lower limb power, and static balance associated with aging but this needs to be determined in a prospective trial. Dynamic balance, however, does not appear to be maintained, as it was significantly lower in the golfers over 80 compared with the 65-79 golfers and nongolfers. Although golfers over 80 had similar strength and static balance scores compared to the 65-79 nongolfers, prospective intervention studies are needed to ascertain whether preservation of strength and balance were due to playing golf or other factors.