As we get older, our joints become less flexible and stiffer, but by maintaining an active lifestyle and exercising, we can protect ourselves from this natural aging process. Playing golf happens to be one great way of doing this.
As you age, the natural fluid in your joints decreases and the cartilage holding your joints together loses its elasticity and stretch. This is why your range of motion might be impacted and why you may feel pain or discomfort when doing things which never used to be a problem. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve your joint health and increase your range of motion — while also improving your golf game.
Golfing for Whole Health and Joint Health
One of the most important things you can do for your health as you get older is maintain an active lifestyle, through exercising. Exercise is good for your joints, bones, flexibility, balance and overall mobility. A proper exercise regimen has also been shown to reduce the risks of many life-threatening diseases of the body and the mind.
Playing a round of golf is a great way to the get exercise you need to maintain your whole health. By setting a brisk pace as you walk the links, you can keep the joints in your lower body loose and flexible, as well as get a good cardio workout at the same time. And not to mention, the range of motion used in swinging your club is great for your upper-body joints, too.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends most adults should get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. An 18-hole game of golf takes about four hours. If you keep up a good pace and carry your clubs, you’re getting quite a bit more than what’s recommended.
On April 26, 2019, you can practice this healthy advice at the Third Annual AdventHealth Golf Classic. Click here to learn how you can lock in your tee-time and support an area of your choice at AdventHealth.
Tips for Maintaining Joint Health
Aside from golfing and other forms of exercise, there are other excellent ways of maintaining joint health and your whole health at the same time. These simple lifestyle changes can increase your range of motion and joint flexibility.
- Stay Hydrated—Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when it’s hot outside. It’s recommended you drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day. The fluid in your joints is mostly water, so staying properly hydrated is crucial for good joint health. Bring a thermos with you when you go golfing and be sure to refill it regularly.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight — By maintaining an ideal weight for your height, you reduce the stress put on your joints from excess weight. Carrying less weight will also make it easier to walk 18 holes. Talk to your care provider about how you can achieve this goal for better health all around.
- Eat Foods with Anti-Inflammatory Properties — There are many foods and diets which contain ingredients shown to have natural, anti-inflammatory properties. Foods like nuts, berries and leafy greens all contain these benefits, as does a Mediterranean diet. Most modern clubhouses offer selections containing these ingredients.
- Quit Smoking or Don’t Start —Smoking causes inflammation which makes it harder for joints and bones to heal. Smoking also causes cancer and increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. And no one likes seeing cigarette butts on the course.
Improve Your Joint Health and Play Golf for a Great Cause
Put these four tips of maintaining your joint health into action at the Third Annual AdventHealth Golf Classic. You can join over 250 community partners and AdventHealth leaders in coming together for one purpose: to bring hope and healing to our community. Every swing, putt and step on the fairway can impact local mothers, fathers, children and friends through their health care journey.
Learn how you and your organization can participate at the Third Annual Golf Classic and provide life-saving support to an area of your choice at AdventHealth.
