Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Zunzer, S.
Effects of low-intensity, long duration exercise on health and risk profile
[ Dissertation ] Medical University of Graz; 2013. pp. 208
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Müller Wolfram
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- Abstract:
- Golf is a pleasurable activity and is played by millions of people around the world. The purpose of this doctoral thesis was to determine the impact of intensity and volume golf play on health and performance related variables, based on two observation periods (short-term, 8 to 12-weeks; long-term, 30-weeks). To determine baseline results, a heterogeneous group of 66 healthy subjects, 42 men and 24 women, varying in age and handicap (age, 53.3 ± 13.0 years; HCP, 23.5 ± 11.3), completed a sports medical examination. During the game, the heart rate (HR), duration, distance, walking speed, ascent and descent were measured via a GPS/HR monitor. When playing 9 or 18-holes of golf, independent of the golf course design, the average HR was not significantly different between men vs. women or the subgroups with mild exertion level of (<3 METs), but with a significant increase for the elderly and untrained test subjects. The total energy expenditure in men was almost twice as high as in women. In both longitudinal observation periods, the subjects significantly decreased body mass, subcutaneous fat layer thickness, and resting blood pressure. Furthermore, the participants improved exercise performance variables (e.g. VO2max and (sub)-maximal power output) while they lowered the HR. The variables of the blood profile remained stable. A minimum threshold ranging from 200 to 420 minutes of golf per week was found to be significant to provide health and fitness benefits. Specific recommendations for low-intensity exercise for female subjects are still lacking and thus, the results confirmed that golf may serve as a model for low-intensity and high volume exercise to study health related benefits and training effects.