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Review
. 2017 Nov 28;7(11):e018993.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018993.

A rapid review to identify physical activity accrued while playing golf

Jack Luscombe  1   2 , Andrew D Murray  2   3 , Evan Jenkins  1   2 , Daryll Archibald  4   5
Affiliations
Review

A rapid review to identify physical activity accrued while playing golf

Jack Luscombe et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To identify physical activity (PA) accrued while playing golf and modifiers of PA accrued.

Design: A rapid review of primary research studies. Quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool for cohort and cross-sectional studies.

Methods and outcomes: The following databases were searched from 1900 to March 2017: SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Google Advanced Search, ProQuest, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. All primary research investigating golf or golfers with any of the following outcomes was included: metabolic equivalent of task, oxygen uptake, energy expenditure, heart rate, step count, distance covered, strength, flexibility, balance, sedentary behaviour.

Results: Phase one searching identified 4944 citations and phase two searching identified 170 citations. In total, 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Golf is primarily a moderate intensity PA, but may be low intensity depending on the playing population and various modifiers. Less PA is accrued by those who ride a golf cart compared with those walking the course.

Conclusions: Golf can be encouraged in order to attain PA recommendations. Further research is required into the relationship between golf and strength and flexibility PA recommendations and how modifiers affect PA accrued.

Prospero registration number: CRD42017058237.

Keywords: golf; health; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: Although not for this project, ADM has previously received funding to complete research from the World Golf Foundation. The World Golf Foundation committed to publishing whether results were positive, negative or equivocal and had no influence on the conduct of this or previous research.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results of systematic electronic search.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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