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The purpose of the present studies was to examine whether providing superstitious instruction has beneficial effects on motor performance. The results of the effectiveness of superstitious instructions have been mixed. Additionally, the two present studies moved one step forward to examine the effects on motor learning, assessed by retention and transfer tests conducted 2 days after practice day. The tasks for Experiment 1 and 2 were throwing and golf-putting, respectively. In Experiment 1, the superstitious instruction was, "Here is your lucky color ball. Compared with other color balls, these white balls turned out to be luckier and had better throwing accuracy last week". In Experiment 2, the superstitious instruction was "This type of putter has been used by many professional golfers at some point in their career. This brand of golf ball, Pinnacle, has been used at many professional tournaments." Results of Experiment 1 and 2 showed no superstitious-instruction effect on both motor performance and learning, resulting in no difference between the superstitious instruction and control groups. Therefore, superstitious instruction may provide little to no impact on motor performance and learning; however, more studies are needed to conclude the effect of superstition on motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess health problems and training environment of female golfers participating in the 2022 World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) and to compare golfers (a) with and without health problems prior the WATC and (b) living and training in countries ranking in the upper versus lower 50% of the team results at the 2022 WATC. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study using an anonymous questionnaire. Setting: International Golf Federation WATC. Participants: One hundred sixty-two female golfers from 56 countries. Interventions: N/A. Main Outcome Measures: Golfers' answers on the presence and characteristics of health problems, their training environment, and to the Oslo Sport Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire. Results: Almost all golfers (n = 162; 96%) answered the questionnaire. In the 4 weeks before the WATC, 101 golfers (63.1%) experienced 186 musculoskeletal complaints, mainly at the lumbar spine/lower back, wrist, or shoulder. Just half of the golfers (50.6%) performed injury prevention exercises always or often. More than a third (37.4%) of the golfers reported illness complaints and 32.5% mental health problems in the 4 weeks preceding the WATC. General anxiety, performance anxiety, and low mood/ depression were the most frequent mental health problems. Golfers with injury complaints rated their daily training environment poorer. Golfers ranking in the lower 50% at the WATC had significantly less support staff, rated their training environment poorer, and had a higher prevalence of illness complaints and mental health problems. Conclusions: Effective illness and injury prevention programs should be implemented and better access to education and health support in the daily training environment provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robinson, L, Murray, A, Ehlert, A, Wells, J, Jarvis, P, Turner, A, Glover, D, Coughlan, D, Hembrough, R, and Bishop, C. Effects of physical training and associations between physical performance characteristics and golf performance in female players: A systematic review with meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 374-383, 2024--The aims of this systematic review were to assess the association between physical performance and measures of golf performance, and the effects of physical training on measures of golf performance, in female golfers. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Medline, and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria required studies to (a) have conducted a physical training intervention of any duration in female players and determine the effects on measures of golf performance, (b) determine the association between physical performance in at least one test and golf performance in female players, and (c) be peer-reviewed and published in English language. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black Quality Index tool, and heterogeneity was examined through the Q statistic and I2. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) (with 95% confidence interval [CI]s) within a random-effects model, with Egger's regression test used to assess small study bias (inclusive of publication bias). Of the 2,378 articles screened, only 9 were included in the final review, with 3 of these being associative by design and 6 being training interventions. From an associative standpoint, clubhead speed (CHS) was reported in all 3 studies and was associated with measures of strength (r 5 0.54), lower-body power (r 5 0.60), upper-body power (r 5 0.56-0.57), and flexibility (r 5 0.52-0.71). When assessing the effects of physical training interventions, CHS was again the most commonly reported golf outcome measure (n 5 5). The random-effect model indicated that CHS significantly improves within each training group following training interventions (SMD50.73 [95% CIs: 0.32-1.14], Z53.50, p < 0.001), with trivial heterogeneity (I250.00%, Q50.18; p50.9963) and no prevalence of small study bias depicted through the Egger's regression test (z520.28, p50.78). From the available research, it seems that CHS can be positively affected from strength, power, and flexibility training interventions. From an associative standpoint, only 3 studies have been conducted solely in female players, with one showcasing questionable methodology. Future research should aim to carefully select test measures which better represent the physical capacities needed for the sport when determining the effects of and relationships with golf performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Golf is a sport played around the globe, with an estimated 42.6 million people playing within the United Kingdom and United States of America alone. To date, there is limited data on the energy expenditure of golf. The present study assessed the activity energy expenditure (AEE) of 16 high-standard (handicap under 5) golfers who completed three rounds of competitive golf either carrying the golf bag (BC), using a manual push trolley (MT) or an electric trolley (ET) (Stewart Golf, Gloucester, UK). Prior to each round, participants were fitted with an Actiheart® accelerometer (Camntech, Fenstanton, UK) to estimate AEE, whilst ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and enjoyment were collected following each round. Data were analysed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA, with Hedges g effect sizes (ES) calculated. Mean (SD) AEE was 688 ± 213 kcal for BC, 756 ± 210 kcal for MT and 663 ± 218 kcal for ET (p =.05) although these differences were deemed small or less. The ET condition resulted in the lowest mean heart rate, moderate or very large from BC or MT, respectively. There were no significant differences in enjoyment although perceived exertion was lowest in the ET condition. In summary, we report meaningful differences in AEE between the three conditions (p =.05), with perceived exertion and maximum HR being lowest when using the electric trolley. Golf may be considered as an effective intervention to increase step count and improve physical activity levels across the general population regardless of transportation methods of clubs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No previous systematic review has examined the physical health benefits of playing golf or caddying. Objective: To establish the influence of golf participation and physical health in golfers and caddies. More specifically, the review intended to explore the domains of cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal health, in addition to body composition. Design: Systematic review. Data Sources: Electronic literature searches were conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL databases in July 2021. Eligibility Criteria: Experimental (randomised controlled trials, quasi-experiment, pre-post) and non-experimental (case–control, cross-sectional, cohort) articles relating to health and golf, written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals. Results: Of the 572 articles initially identified, 109 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility with 23 meeting the inclusion criteria. Sixteen articles were rated 'good 'and seven 'fair'. The influence of golf on physical health was mixed, although various articles displayed improvements in balance, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol within golfers. Caddies observed improvements in bone mineral density (BMD), stiffness index and strength. Most of the findings indicate that playing golf or caddying does not influence body mass index (BMI); however, playing golf can positively change other body composition markers such as lean and fat mass. Conclusion: This review demonstrated that golf participation may be an effective method for improving musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health, although mixed findings were observed. Moreover, limited longitudinal evidence suggests that playing golf can positively impact metabolic health and the influence on body composition may be parameter dependent. Additionally, the initial evidence suggests that caddying may improve musculoskeletal health. However, the studies included were limited by their methodological inconsistencies such as: study design, participant demographics and intervention prescription. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42021267664. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the association between a specific sports type and exercise group participation and longitudinal changes in sociopsychological health among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Three years of data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study were used, comprising a total of 33,746 men and 36,799 women age ≥65 yr. To determine the relationship between 20 types of sports and exercise group participation in 2016 (baseline) and changes in depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)), self-rated health (4-point scale), subjective well-being (11-point scale), and frequency of laughter (days per month) from 2016 to 2019, we performed linear regression analyses with conducting a multivariate adjustment for potential confounders using an inverse probability weighting method. Results: The mean changes over 3 yr were +0.32 and +0.28 in GDS-15, −0.06 and −0.05 in self-rated health, −0.08 and −0.06 in subjective well-being, and −1.21 and −1.19 in frequency of laughter, in men and women, respectively. Men playing golf in a group were more likely to suppress an increase in the GDS-15 (B = −0.11, 95% confidence interval, −0.18 to −0.05) and decreases in self-rated health (0.04, 0.02 to 0.06), subjective well-being (0.07, 0.02 to 0.12), and frequency of laughter (0.45, 0.11 to 0.80). Women participating in walking, weight exercises, and hiking groups were more likely to prevent an increase in the GDS-15 (−0.12, −0.19 to −0.04; −0.09, −0.18 to −0.01; and −0.16, −0.30 to −0.03, respectively) and decreases in self-rated health (0.03, 0.01 to 0.05; 0.03, 0.01 to 0.06; and 0.08, 0.04 to 0.12, respectively). Conclusions: Golf in older men and walking, weight exercises, and hiking in older women could be recommended as an effective program for promoting sociopsychological health among older adults in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tests predictions regarding skilled golf performance and age-based upon Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) theory. Participants were 1,324 adults (17–85 years old) who competed in a three-day major amateur golf tournament. Findings indicated that older golfers were most likely to identify difficulties in their games worthy of remediation, relied on performance-enhancing equipment to the greatest degree, and scored higher on SOC selection. For such players, SOC selection and remaining competitive predicted better tournament performance. Older players were also less likely to rate a variety of game improvement techniques as effective, less likely to engage in preround preparation, and were less likely than younger players to engage in SOC optimization and compensation strategies. This pattern of findings to a large extent also characterized middle-aged players. Despite a mixed picture of support for SOC theory, these findings provide valuable insights into its application to aging and the competitive sport domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skill acquisition science is the study of how motor skills are acquired, developed and/or learned. There is substantive evidence for general motor skill acquisition in controlled laboratory settings yet the literature on the learning of sports-related skills is typically less conclusive. This scoping review aimed to summarise the current literature on skill acquisition intervention studies examining the learning of sports-related skills as part of a randomised controlled trial, by synthesizing and extracting the most relevant features. Four electronic databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. The sample characteristics of these studies were extracted, and summarised. Two systematic searches of the literature were conducted. In the first search, eighty-six studies were retained. A second search was conducted in July 2022 to include new studies and specifically focused on the inclusion of within-subject design studies, resulting in the inclusion of 35 additional studies. A third search was conducted in May 2023 to include new studies resulting in the inclusion of 10 additional studies. One hundred and thirty studies across 29 sports were included in the review. The vast majority of the studies in this scoping review (n = 104) examined the learning of a sport-related skill in participants with no experience. Twenty-eight percent of all retained studies (n = 35) considered only the learning of a golf skill, and all studies were practiced in a laboratory environment, examining closed motor skills (n = 130). The most common intervention categories reported were attention (n = 22), instruction and demonstration (n = 20), practice design (n = 20), and perceptual training (n = 19). Nearly half of all studies used an immediate retention test within 48 h of the cessation of practice (n = 63), and just over one quarter of studies (n = 34) reported incorporating some form of transfer test. Eighty-six percent (n = 112) reported positive findings. The skewed focus on golf skills across a small number of skill acquisition interventions, the inconsistent use and reporting of performance measures, practice durations and measures of learning alongside the relatively small sample sizes consisting mostly of inexperienced learners and the skewed publication of positive findings should warrant caution. More empirical studies across a broader range of sports and with more consistent methodologies are needed to develop a robust pool of literature that can support academics and practitioners interested in which skill acquisition interventions could be used to influence the learning of sports-related skills. • The majority of studies examined golf and were conducted in a laboratory-based setting. • The majority of studies sampled inexperienced participants and used closed skills. • High quality evidence using standardized methodologies in a wide range of contexts is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental exposures strongly influence ALS risk and identification is needed to reduce ALS burden. Participation in hobbies and exercise may alter ALS risk and phenotype, warranting an assessment to understand their contribution to the ALS exposome. Participants with ALS and healthy controls were recruited from University of Michigan and self-completed a survey to ascertain hobbies, exercise, and avocational exposures. Exposure variables were associated with ALS risk, survival, onset segment, and onset age. ALS (n = 400) and control (n = 287) participants self-reported avocational activities. Cases were slightly older (median age 63.0 vs. 61.1 years, p = 0.019) and had a lower educational attainment (p < 0.001) compared to controls; otherwise, demographics were well balanced. Risks associating with ALS after multiple comparison correction included golfing (odds ratio (OR) 3.48, p adjusted = 0.004), recreational dancing (OR 2.00, p adjusted = 0.040), performing gardening or yard work (OR 1.71, p adjusted = 0.040) five years prior to ALS and personal (OR 1.76, p adjusted = 0.047) or family (OR 2.21, p adjusted = 0.040) participation in woodworking, and personal participation in hunting and shooting (OR 1.89, p adjusted = 0.040). No exposures associated with ALS survival and onset. Those reporting swimming (3.86 years, p adjusted = 0.016) and weightlifting (3.83 years, p adjusted = 0.020) exercise 5 years prior to ALS onset had an earlier onset age. The identified exposures in this study may represent important modifiable ALS factors that influence ALS phenotype. Thus, exposures related to hobbies and exercise should be captured in studies examining the ALS exposome. • Participation in certain hobbies and avocational activities alters ALS risk. • Avocational activities should be included in ALS exposome studies. • Certain exercise, hobbies, and avocational ALS risk factors are sex-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheehan, WB, Bower, RG, and Watsford, ML. Physical determinants of golf swing performance: A review. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 289–297, 2022—Traditionally, golf practice has primarily focused on the mental, technical, and skill aspects as the primary means to improve performance. Only recently has a greater emphasis been placed on the physical components with balance, muscular strength, power, and specific muscle-tendon properties demonstrating positive associations with club head speed and carry distance. Accordingly, this review will explore the influence of these physical components on measures of golf swing performance. Superior balance may allow players to effectively deal with the need to shift weight during the swing as well as different stance positions, whereas superior lower-body muscular strength, power, and stiffness may allow more mechanical work to be performed on the club during the swing per unit of time, consequently increasing club head speed. Alternatively, flexibility may also contribute to enhanced force production with a greater range of motion, particularly when generating the "X-factor," allowing for a longer backswing and more time to produce higher angular velocities and forces. Furthermore, training intervention studies focusing on the aforementioned components have demonstrated enhancements in swing performance. Targeting multiple muscle groups, including those implicated via electromyography activation, and utilizing multiple modalities have proven effective at increasing club head speed. However, such multifaceted programs have made it difficult to determine the mechanisms that specifically contribute to performance gains. Despite these limitations, strength, power, and musculotendinous stiffness, particularly in the lower body, seem to be stronger determinants of club head speed and carry distance than flexibility. Furthermore, acute improvements can be induced using resistance-orientated warm-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clubhead speed (CHS) is a commonly assessed golf performance measure and has been demonstrated to increase in response to physical training. Knowledge of the physical attributes that correlate with CHS will aid in developing effective testing and training protocols for golfers. Thus, the purpose of this review was to identify studies that evaluated the correlation between physical attributes and CHS and synthesise the correlation coefficients using three-level meta-analytic methods. Physical attributes were categorised first by general physical attribute categories. Pooled correlations were also estimated for specific attributes (e.g. jump height, body mass) that were evaluated across three or more studies. The results suggested that CHS had the strongest correlations with measures of upper body power/explosiveness (r = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [95CI]: 0.34, 0.67), lower body strength (r = 0.46; 95CI: 0.27, 0.66), upper body strength (r = 0.41; 95CI: 0.18, 0.63), and lower body power/explosiveness (r = 0.38; 95CI: 0.23, 0.53). Muscle endurance (r = 0.18; 95CI: 0.07, 0.28) and anthropometrics (r = 0.27; 95CI: 0.12, 0.42) had small, but significant correlations, while flexibility (r = 0.03; 95CI: −0.08, 0.14) had a trivial correlation. Several specific assessments such as squat strength, estimated jump power, and medicine ball throw outcomes had large pooled correlations with CHS (r = 0.55–0.63). Overall, the results suggest that measures of muscle strength and power/explosiveness have moderate-large correlations with CHS. Flexibility measures did not have significant associations with CHS, but this may be a result of the specific measures used within the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state that impairs endurance performance in healthy athletes. Recently, multiple studies indicated that MF could also impair sport-specific psychomotor performance (SSPP). Nevertheless, a systematic overview detailing the effects of MF on SSPP is currently lacking. Objective: The objective of this study is to collate relevant literature and examine the effect of MF on SSPP. A secondary aim was to create an overview of the potential subjective and physiological factors underlying this MF effect. Methods: PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched (5th of November 2020). Studies were eligible when study outcomes encompassed any form of SSPP skill in a sport-specific context, the intervention was targeted to induce MF, and the population included healthy individuals. The presence of a manipulation check, to indicate the successful induction of MF, was obligatory for inclusion. Secondary outcomes were all outcomes (either physiological or psychological) that could explain the underlying mechanisms of the effect of MF on SSPP. Results: In total, 21 papers were included. MF was successfully induced in all but two studies, which were excluded from further analysis. MF negatively impacts a myriad of SSPP outcomes, including decision-making, reaction time and accuracy outcomes. No changes in physiological outcomes, that could underlie the effect of MF, were reported. Subjectively, only ratings of perceived of exertion increased due to MF in some studies. Conclusions: Overall, the selected papers indicated that MF negatively affects SSPP. Research that assesses brain function, while evaluating the effect of MF on SSPP is essential to create further insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing body of literature on strength and conditioning (S&C) interventions for golfers of various skill levels. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of S&C interventions on measures of golf performance (clubhead speed, ball speed, distance, etc.). Three databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched and twenty-five studies identified that evaluated the effects of a S&C intervention on at least one golf performance measure compared to a control or comparison group. Most studies used combinations of strength training, plyometrics, stretching or core exercise, with many finding a benefit. Though it varied across studies and outcomes, average increases in clubhead speed, ball speed and distance measures were 4–6.4% when significant findings were synthesized. Four studies also found significant changes to golf swing kinematics, while three others found positive effects on measures of accuracy or consistency. Future research should compare different S&C interventions, explore the role of training status, skill level and intervention duration on the effects of S&C interventions, and report individual responses in addition to group data. Further, research should continue to evaluate effects on swing kinematics, accuracy and direct golf performance measures (e.g., handicap index). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant and/or prevalent symbols of nationhood is to be found in the international (men's) sporting arena. Sport is often imbued with notions of national identity and war, although the sport of golf is generally devoid of flags and nationalistic tendencies and is thus often considered relatively insignificant in inculcating national sentiments – except in the exceptional cases of team golf events such as the Solheim Cup. This paper considers the way in which the competitors in the 2019 Solheim Cup were represented in the British print media. Results highlights that national identity is a key descriptor of the female competitors, legitimising their position in the battlefield of international sport. We conclude that, in an era of increasing significance of women's sport, there exists an ideological space for women to be seen as 'proxy warriors' in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Britain and Ireland — two islands united in one kingdom and bound — ensured that the British sporting revolution spread immediately to Ireland. On both islands the new sporting world was capable of transcending political, economic, social and cultural divides. It was also capable of underlining — even aggravating — such divides. Sport in Enniscorthy was a complex of class and gender and religion and geography and personality and political allegiance. The extremes of nationalist rhetoric and then rebellion, on the one hand, and the depth and strength of a sporting tradition associated with the sports of the British Empire, on the other, ensured that the sporting clubs of the town were presented as being organized for 'foreign games', or for the 'games of the Gael'. This was a binary which did not take account for the broad swathe of motivations which account for the sporting tastes of people, but was, instead, a consequence of the reality of revolution — and its legacy. This article examines the impact that armed rebellion had on the sporting life of a country town in the south-east of Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstracts are presented of periodical articles on management, sports management and sports marketing including "The New Face of Leadership: Emotional Intelligence," published in a 2010 issue of "Quest," "Sorry golfers, this is not your spot! Exploring public opposition to golf development," published in a 2010 issue of "Journal of Sport & Social Issues," and "Understanding the Legacy of an Olympic host city: the case of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games," published in a 2010 issue of "Sports Marketing Quarterly."

The golf industry is currently undergoing a "churning effect" whereby players are leaving nearly as quickly as they enter; this effect is especially prevalent among women. We examine interviews from male and female golf professionals, as well as transcripts from interviews with female participants of various playing levels and experience, in order to determine the reasons women not only leave golf, but more importantly, why they stay. Our data indicate that once golfers have become hooked on the game, interpersonal and structural constraints have more influence on participation than intrapersonal constraints, whereas women new to golf face intrapersonal constraints (mainly related to ability) and structural constraints (but ones somewhat different from frequent participants). We suggest strategies that might reduce the intrapersonal (helping new players of both sexes achieve a minimal level of mastery), interpersonal (development of a more gender neutral environment to reduce the likelihood of "differentness" being noted), and structural (provision of child care facilities at the course, reducing the 18-hole mentality) constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]