The relationships between golf and health:A scoping review

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationships between golf and health. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished reports of any age or language, identified by searching electronic databases, platforms, reference lists, websites and from consulting experts. REVIEW METHODS: A 3-step search strategy identified relevant published primary and secondary studies as well as grey literature. Identified studies were screened for final inclusion. Data were extracted using a standardised tool, to form (1) a descriptive analysis and (2) a thematic summary. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 4944 records were identified with an initial search. 301 studies met criteria for the scoping review. Golf can provide moderate intensity physical activity and is associated with physical health benefits that include improved cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic profiles, and improved wellness. There is limited evidence related to golf and mental health. The incidence of golfing injury is moderate, with back injuries the most frequent. Accidental head injuries are rare, but can have serious consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners and policymakers can be encouraged to support more people to play golf, due to associated improved physical health and mental well-being, and a potential contribution to increased life expectancy. Injuries and illnesses associated with golf have been identified, and risk reduction strategies are warranted. Further research priorities include systematic reviews to further explore the cause and effect nature of the relationships described. Research characterising golf's contribution to muscular strengthening, balance and falls prevention as well as further assessing the associations and effects between golf and mental health are also indicated

Teaching Economically Disadvantaged Latino Middle School Students in a Pandemic

2024The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 was a life-altering phenomenon for educators across the United States. Schools and teachers had to transform their teaching practices practically overnight. Education in most schools across the country conducted distance learning in some capacity. A demographic group that was affected was economically disadvantaged middle school Latino students. This population has historically low high school graduation rates when compared to other demographics. The critical time in middle school was altered significantly during the pandemic. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenology study is to explore faculty experiences teaching economically disadvantaged Latino middle school students in an urban setting in New England and the Middle Atlantic region on the Atlantic Coast of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. This study aims to examine the lived experience of faculty members who educated this population during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2021. The following study contains an introduction to the topic, a review of the scholarly literature on the topic, the methodology of my study, and the results of the study