The positive effect of sports on the physical condition of man has been recognized since the days of ancient Rome and Greece. However, the first scientific studies in this field can be attributed only to the 1950s. Already by the end of the 20th century, scientists traced a direct link between physical activity and improved performance in chronic problems of cardiology, overweight, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, osteoporosis and depression.
Among the many areas in the sport, golf takes its rightful place as a recreational form of exercise. The solidity and credibility of the game does not come with any comparison with the indicators of medical research Karolinska University. The experiment involved 300,000 players, and the results were more than optimistic. The Swedish researchers concluded that golfers have a 40% lower risk of premature death than other people of the same age. Moreover, one can add as much as 5 years to the life expectancy of the players.
The researchers noted that the result of the experiment did not surprise them, since a number of positive aspects of golf is obvious. It’s no secret that being outdoors and walking briskly up to 7 km a day are very useful for health. Also, the game promotes social connections and mental health. The undeniable beauty of golf is that it benefits people of all genders, ages and social groups. But that’s not all the game can do.
Doctors from Sweden, Italy and the United States discovered golf as an incredibly effective method of treating Down Syndrome, a condition associated with mental retardation. Golf therapy is actively used in most rehabilitation centers. A unique example of the productivity of such non-standard treatment is found in Italy. The amateur sports school “Golf – my passion” has been rescuing children and adults with autism, Down syndrome and spastic syndrome for the past 8 years. After learning the physical and mental abilities of aspiring athletes, they begin playing golf. In the course of the game, the patients acquire necessary skills, undergo a rehabilitation course, and most importantly, learn to communicate and adapt in the society.
Scientists pay special attention to mental health in connection with the color scheme on the golf course. Psychologists have long been proven the influence of color on a person’s emotional state. Certain shades can cause anxiety, sadness, joy or anger.
The grass and sky are predominantly in front of a golfer’s eyes, so two colors, green and blue, have the greatest impact on well-being.
Blue is classified as a “passive color” because it induces daydreaming, a decrease in emotional tension and activity.
Looking up into the sky, you can catch yourself feeling relaxed and peaceful. This calms the nervous system and increases the ability to work.
Green is considered to be the most favorable color in terms of psychological perception. According to the scientists, it has a calming effect, because mankind has been accustomed to the color of the surrounding vegetation for millions of years of evolution. A green golf course increases sociability, sensitivity, and has a positive effect on high blood pressure. Prolonged contemplation of the soft shade of green induces a steady rise in performance.
And lastly, perhaps most importantly. If your motto is “There is no limit to perfection!”, then your health is not far off, because the more virtuosic the game, the greater the health effects.