The premise is simple: the more time spent at your office job, the worse off your golf game will be. However, according to a recent study, less time actually working on your game is not the only detractor to lowering your handicap.
The International Journal of Obesity released a study in February that will likely give you a little more incentive to get up from your desk a few times per day. After all, a better golf game depends upon it!
For years, doctors have warned about people developing bad habits derived from sedentary work stations and lack of exercise throughout the work day and this latest study only exacerbates those concerns.
According to the study, sitting for long periods of time not only hurts your attention span, it also leads to adults getting distracted more easily. With that kind of conclusion, it’s not difficult to see how this could inhibit your golf game.
Your 9-5 is hurting your golf game according to a new study. https://t.co/F1d7mZQ4gh
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 21, 2021
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign tracked the daily habits of 89 overweight or obese adults for a week using accelerometers and “measured their ability to multitask and maintain their attention despite distractions.”
Does that sound like something you may have to do during a round of golf?
They also found that folks who engage in “sedentary bouts lasting 20 minutes or more” saw negative results in their attention span and ability to stay on task. While getting up and moving every 15-20 minutes may no be sustainable, it’s reasonable to believe that the longer or more often you’re sedentary the more harm you’re causing
All golfers know that when you’re not fully committed to a club or shot, or thrown off by movement or noise, the results can be disastrous for your scorecard.
While we’re not suggesting quitting your day job, it’s likely not a bad idea to get up and move around a few times per day as opposed to being glued to your screen for hours at a time. Get outside and take a walk, find an exercise class or yoga video to do or better yet, go hit some balls or work on your short game.
