Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

A recent study by the Rose Center for Health and Sport Sciences examined anaerobic thresholds for a test group of golfers. They were tested, prior to going onto the golf course, to see at what point their bodies began to burn fuel without the help of oxygen - their anaerobic threshold. Typically, when a person crosses that threshold their body begins to produce lactic acid that builds up in the muscles and can adversely affect one’s fine motor skills - and the finesse of your golf game. Think of what happens to your swing and precision putts when fatigue sets in. Your game goes downhill.

The study noted that the players’ scores suffered on two particularly challenging uphill holes as their bodies were pushed to their anaerobic thresholds. It took another two or three minutes for the players to move below their threshold again.

What that means is this - the amount you do or don’t exercise off the golf course can affect how well you perform on the golf course. To improve your anaerobic threshold, maintain your fine motor skills and improve or maintain your game, start doing cardio. Be it running, walking, aerobics or spin classes - it all counts.  Even weightlifting plays a role. Besides helping decrease your risk for osteoporosis, weightlifting helps build stronger arms and legs. That means you can manage long distance walks, or those uphill, better.

While those around you are recovering - and not sinking the shot - you can surge ahead. Walk the course, integrate daily exercise into your lifestyle and enjoy every minute on the course.