Exploring Golf’s Benefits for Menopausal Women
Engaging in any form of cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for enhancing heart, lung, and muscle strength. However, a general practitioner suggests that golf may offer unique advantages for women experiencing menopause.
The Insight from Dr. Asimah Hanif
Dr. Asimah Hanif, a registered GP with Staysure and nearly 15 years of experience in both public and private healthcare, advocates for golf as a suitable activity during this phase of life. According to her, golf can not only burn calories but also stimulate the bones, helping to counteract the natural decline in bone density that many women face during and after menopause.
Why Golf Might Be the Right Choice
- Connection with Nature: Spending time outdoors can alleviate stress and elevate mood.
- Low-Impact Exercise: Golf is gentle on the joints, unlike running or heavy lifting.
- Walking Benefits: A round of golf encourages walking, enhancing mindfulness and providing a calm atmosphere.
- Muscle Engagement: The sport effectively works the glutes, legs, core, and calves, supporting bone health.
- Heart Health: Playing golf can lead to hours of low-intensity cardiovascular exercise with intermittent bursts of higher activity, which improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.
A Safe Haven for Exercise
Dr. Asimah comments, “Some patients who visit our practice could benefit from the physical and mental boosts golf can provide.” She emphasizes that golf offers a welcoming environment for women navigating menopausal challenges.
“Pelvic floor instability can quickly cut down the list of available sports, and unexpected hot flushes can make high-intensity sports incredibly uncomfortable,” she explained. “Fatigue and low energy are also common for women going through menopause. Golf allows for flexibility—whether opting for half a round or practicing at a nearby area with the comfort of resting whenever needed.”
Strengthening Through Golf
Another often-overlooked benefit is that walking the course and pushing a golf cart acts as light resistance training, which contributes to muscle and bone strength. Dr. Asimah elaborated, “Throughout the menopausal phase, estrogen levels in the body are dropping, which can disrupt bone remodeling and density.” She concluded, “The gentle yet sustained loading of your skeleton while playing golf can stimulate your bones and may help slow the natural loss of bone density during and after menopause.”
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