In this post we discuss why using anti-inflammatories to play golf isn’t good for you or your golf.
Spring is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing, you’re going to play more golf.
Golf is a peculiar activity in that even golfers don’t seem to classify it as a sport you should train for.
Let me ask you this, how far do you think you walk on an average round of 18? About 5 or 6 miles?
In addition you’re interrupting that walk with around 40 maximal effort swings.
This involves moving a number of your joints from one end of their range of motion to the other in less than a second.
Some golfers think nothing of playing 36 holes in one day. So that’s probably 12 miles of walking and around 80 maximal effort swings.
How do many golfers prepare for this?
The truth is they don’t.
Many just throw their clubs in the car and drive to the course when the sun comes out.
If they’re sore after a round (or even during it) they simply take some anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and push on.
So here you have a sport that’s somewhere in the middle of baseball and orienteering (with a little croquet thrown in for good measure), which many people don’t train for.
Using anti-inflammatories to play golf means something is wrong
If you feel the need to take anti-inflammatories to play golf, your muscular system can’t currently tolerate the forces you’re exposing it to.
The golf swing is deceptive. Whilst it can look effortless when executed to a high level, it imposes considerable forces on the body.
For example, compressive forces on the spine have been measured at up to 8 times body weight. By comparison running produces spinal compression forces equal to 3 times body weight.
Forces at the lead knee have been measured at equivalent of 4 times body weight, in patients who had previously undergone knee replacement surgery.
It’s safe to assume these forces may be even higher if Tiger Woods was able to rupture his ACL during the golf swing.
And all of these forces must be delivered to the ball via the shoulders, arms and hands.
It’s not surprising that people find themselves in pain if they don’t specifically train for it.
Anti-inflammatories can lead to more serious injuries
Anti-inflammatories not only mask potential issues, they may make these issues worse.
Inflammation is how your body heals itself. Reducing it might temporarily alleviate symptoms but it can interfere with the healing process.
In addition you’re muting your body’s alarm system. Rather like placing a cloth over the big read warning light that’s flashing on the dashboard and continuing to drive.
Perhaps most important of all, anti-inflammatory medication used for extended periods of time may lead to gastrointestinal issues and have negative effects on both the cardiovascular and renal systems. It shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Summary
If your body hurts after a round of golf it’s trying to tell you something.
Taking anti-inflammatories may mask these sensations but it does nothing to solve the problem.
If you want to continue to play golf long into your retirement, you need to train for it and that means regular resistance training.
Not only will this improve your golf, it will help you play it for longer without damaging your body.