EXERCISE PERFORMANCE OF COLLEGIATE MALE GOLFERS

Abstract

789 Although the sport of golf is not considered physically demanding, the level of physical fitness often dictates the outcome of the game. More importantly, deficiencies in physical fitness may predispose the young, competitive golfer to career-threatening injury. Limited research efforts, however, have been directed towards this growing sport. Following written informed consent, physiological assessments were performed on nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I male golfers (mean age=19.8± 0.5 yrs; ht=179.3 ± 2.8 cm; wt=74.4 ± 2.3 kg) to quantify aerobic power/ cardiovascular endurance (Bruce protocol; VO2max, VEmax, AT, HRmax, TIMEmax, RPPmax, O2pulsemax, and RERmax) and body composition (%BF, LBM). Results (mean ± SD) indicated that male athletes exhibited below average cardiovascular power/endurance. Overall, results for BF% were higher than reported values (8-14%) in other collegiate athletes of similar competitive levels while VO2max values were comparable with other athletes (45-61 ml/kg/min). In conclusion, the young, competitive golfer should supplement traditional golf practice with cardiovascular and resistance training to enhance muscular strength and to minimize the potential for future injury. TableTable