July 1, 2002

Contact: Andrea Albright, University Relations, (785) 864-8860.

KU researcher's work improves older men's golf swing, wins award

LAWRENCE -- University of Kansas health, sport and exercise sciences instructor Chris Thompson won the green jacket of golf research awards this spring with his study on how physical fitness among aging men affects the speed of their swing.

Last year, men between the ages of 55 and 75 participated in an eight-week program of cardiovascular training, coupled with weight training and flexibility exercises. A baseline measurement of golf swing speed was measured against additional swing tests taken as the program progressed.

At the end of the study all of the golfers showed improvement. Thompson said on average, swing speed increased by 4 mph, which he said translated into an additional 10 or 15 yards per drive.

"One of the things that satisfies golfers the most is hitting the ball farther," he said. "It's a badge of honor."

The study, which was part of Thompson's doctoral dissertation, received the 2002 Science in Golf Prize, sponsored by Golf Magazine and the World Scientific Congress of Golf. His findings will be published in the August issue of Golf Magazine and Thompson will travel to Scotland this month to present a paper titled "Effect of Muscle Strength and Flexibility on Club Head Speed in Older Golfers" to the golf congress' conference in Scotland. His presentation will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Sports Sciences as well.

Thompson, who didn't pick up the sport until the end of high school, said the dissertation idea came to him after finding extensive research into how training improved day-to-day function of the aged but nothing that showed how a fitness program might affect their success in and enjoyment of a healthy activity.

"I thought we'd done as much as we wanted to in the functional fitness area," Thompson said. "I thought there might be a way to improve quality of life through golf."

Although his dissertation proposal met with some initial hesitance from advisers, Thompson persevered and came up with a plan to study the relationship between fitness and the speed of the golf swing of elderly men. The plan was to analyze how physical preparation leads to an improved golf game, which then may increase the likelihood of the player remaining active and staying healthy.

Participants were asked to attend at least three one-hour sessions a week, but Thompson said the men were more than willing to keep up with the rigorous training as they began to see improvements in their golf games.

"We just had to tie it to something they like to do," Thompson said. "These guys were really motivated."

Thompson said during his study the men also noted improvements in activities other than golf and reported those to him as they came up.

Participant Frank Quiring, Eudora, said although his golf game showed only minor improvements, his overall health improved dramatically during the study.

"I really enjoyed what we were doing, and I know if I keep doing those things I will be better for it," Quiring said. "As we get older we get lazy with our bodies. I didn't gain a lot of speed, but there was more to it than that. The real benefits were the life benefits."

Thompson successfully defended his dissertation last summer and received his doctorate in exercise physiology.

Thompson, who will leave KU to take a tenure-track position at the University of San Francisco this fall, said the dissertation had opened a whole new realm of research possibilities to him. With more information, Thompson said, he might design golf fitness programs or advocate for programs that use practices that are supported through research.

Ultimately he said he would like to create a business that implements his findings into golf fitness programs for anyone. That plan may be closer to fruition thanks to the $10,000 check that accompanied his recent prize.

Thompson said it was a dream to be able to find success through his favorite sport.

"The game has given a lot to me," he said. "I see this as being my way to give something back. It truly is the greatest game on Earth."