Energy expenditure of golf range practice: A beta investigation

How does Energy Expenditure (EE) in golf practice compare to golf play? Golf has demonstrated a moderate level of EE during play, especially when walking, which can contribute to health. Golf practice on the driving range has never been assessed. Can driving range practice qualify as meaningful exercise? Ten subjects regularly participating in golf performed two short-range/practice sessions while connected to a portable metabolic system to determine potential benefits. Data points were recorded and averaged for O2/L/min and converted to kcal per hour, oxygen consumption in VO2 ml/kg/min, and heart rate (HR). Subjects performed their regular physical warm-up routine and hit range balls using their standard progression of clubs and pace. Sessions ranged from 10-19 minutes, followed by a short break, with another session of the same time and progression. Using oxygen consumed to measure energy expenditure, the group averaged 3.5 kcal per minute for the first session/3.71 kcal per minute for the two sessions. MET values were 2.31/2.59, respectively, below the required 3.0 met level for moderate activity. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between subject weight and EE of p=0.0001. From this beta study, golf practice can contribute to overall health as part of a weekly exercise and recreation schedule. Further rigorous study is needed to explore this form of activity's quantity further.