Australian golfers with and without osteoarthritis report reduced psychological distress and improved general health compared to a general population-based sample

Brad J Stenner; Terry Boyle; Daryll Archibald; Nigel Arden; Roger Hawkes; Stephanie Filbay

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2023.02.005

Australian golfers with and without osteoarthritis report reduced psychological distress and improved general health compared to a general population-based sample

J Sci Med Sport. 2023 Mar;26(3):202-207. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.02.005. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Authors

Brad J Stenner¹, Terry Boyle², Daryll Archibald³, Nigel Arden⁴, Roger Hawkes⁵, Stephanie Filbay⁶

Affiliations

¹ Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Australia; Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: brad.stenner@unisa.edu.au.
² Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Australia; Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Australia.
³ School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, UK.
⁴ Centre for Sport Exercise and Osteoarthritis Research, Versus Arthritis, University of Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK.
⁵ UK and Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, UK.
⁶ Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK; Centre for Health Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 36822999
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.02.005

Abstract

Objectives: To (i) evaluate psychological distress and general health in Australian golfers and compare with a general population-based sample, and (ii) explore the relationship between playing golf, psychological distress and general health in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Design: Cross sectional.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey collected outcomes in 459 Australian Golfers (Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale, Short-Form 12 (Health Status), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, osteoarthritis status). Outcomes were compared between Australian golfers and a general population-based sample (Australian Health Survey, n = 16,370). Modified Poisson regression estimated the relationship between playing golf and general health in all participants and a subgroup with osteoarthritis (n = 128 golfers, n = 2216 general population). All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education and smoking status.

Results: Playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference (95 % confidence interval) -2.5 (-4.1 to -0.9)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.09 (1.05 to 1.13)) compared to the general population. Amongst people with osteoarthritis, playing golf was associated with lower psychological distress (adjusted mean difference -4.0 (95 % confidence interval -6.5 to -1.5)) and a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk (95 % confidence interval) 1.3 (1.2 to 1.4)).

Conclusions: Golfers had lower levels of psychological distress and better general health than the general population, and this relationship was strongest in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Golf; Psychological distress - HRQoL; Sport.

MeSH terms

Australia / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Status
Humans
Osteoarthritis* / epidemiology