AUTHOR=Jungwirth David , Angerer Martin , Haluza Daniela 

TITLE=The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction of Golfers: A Cross-Sectional Study in German-Speaking Countries

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.913244

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2022.913244

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Golf is an outdoor sport played worldwide, and golfers of all ages benefit from regular exercising and social contacts. The COVID-19 crisis has led to lockdowns, curfews, as well as closures of golf courses and other indoor and outdoor sport facilities. This study aimed at retrospectively assessing how golfers perceived the impact of the crisis regarding physical activity and life satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 1115 golfers (61% males, mean age 55.0 years) in German-speaking countries, mainly Austria and Germany, from March to June 2021. When comparing ratings of before to during the COVID-19 period, participants reported to exercise more indoors at home independently or with online instructions. Likewise, popularity of exercising outdoors in publicly accessible open spaces increased overall, especially in rural areas with about 10%. Life satisfaction decreased significantly by 24.2% (p < 0.001) during the pandemic. From a public health perspective, access to outdoor sport facilities such as golf courses might alleviate the negative psychosocial and health effects of home confinement and restricted access to indoor sport facilities. Further research is recommended to evaluate the longer-term impact of COVID-19-related measures on physical activity and life satisfaction of golfers.