Running head: ARTICLE CRITIQUE 1

Article Critique #1: A Case Report for Adults with Stroke: Enhancing Balance and
Functional Fitness through Golf
Katie Flynn
Brigham Young University

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Article Critique #1: A Case Report for Adults with Stroke: Enhancing Balance and
Functional Fitness through Golf
The study performed regards the physical recovery of patients over the age of 65 who
have experienced a stroke. Through specific tests they monitor balance, agility, stability,
coordination and strength. This study proves recreation to be a modality for recovery.
Summary of Article
This article describes the study of patients undergoing rehabilitation through Recreational
Therapy. The article first describes two studies that outlines the benefits and success of
therapeutic recreation in functional ability. The article isolates the game of golf as the mode for
this therapy and the effects it has on functional and social ability. The participants in this study
are over the age of 50, and have been selected through hospitals and referred to this study by
doctors. Eleven stroke victims over a period of twelve golfing sessions were monitored and their
progress was recorded. What was measured was coordination, agility, strength and balance
(Zoernik, Carter, 2015, p. 237). The study proves that therapy through recreation improves
quality of life (Zoernik, Carter, 2015, p. 240).

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Strengths of the Study

This article begins by backing the success of recreational therapy through referencing two
previous recreational therapeutic as being successful. The example of Wii sports games was
provided showing significant improvement in motor function related to shoulder flexion,
extension, and rotation; wrist supination and pronation; and elbow extension (Zoernik, Carter,
2015). Overall, the evidence of comprehensive rehabilitation programs are effective.
This article plainly states that golf allows for progressive functional attainment because it
facilitates a wide range of abilities, and stated the purposes of the study. The purpose of this
study is to prove an increase in functional fitness and balance (Zoernik, Carter, 2015). Each
participant was paired with another physician allowing accurate information to be recorded
because of the individual attention to each patient.
Each program and daily activity was purposefully planned. A 15 minute warm-up, a 3045 minute session to play three holes, and a debriefing at the end to record progress and goals for
the next week. Each step was done to help the patients grow. The testing methods during each
week were consistent and specifically chosen to measure the desired variable. Additionally, the
account for age and natural decline in ability with age was absent.
This golf study had a hypothesis that closely represented the results. Clearly laid out was
how the study would be conducted and included are the forms that were used for all the
participants to measure the growth of the patient in functional ability and balance. The study
showed transparency by stating its weaknesses as well as the successes of the study.
Weaknesses of the Study
Some of the weaknesses of the study include the absence of a control group, the lack of
an extended testing period for full results and unclear definitions of what community resources

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are. A control group would enhance and validate the modality of golf in rehabilitation. Without a
control group, golf does not prove the difference between time and recreation. If the golf group
had greater functionality than the control group, the data would be firm.
The study was too short to see the full effects of the impact of golf (Zoernik, Carter,
2015). Instead of continuing the study assumptions were made and stated as fact in the
summary. After gaining results by using Berg Balance Test to measure stability, and the
Functional Fitness Battery, the valid data was extended and then used to state the future.
Uses for this Article
Recreational Therapy, in this case golf, is proven to be effective if implemented within
a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program to improve balance and functional fitness. This study
serves as a blueprint for developing other programs like it (Zoernik, Carter, 2015). There is
evidence tested and proven that leisure and recreation serve as effective tools in rehabilitation.
The previously stated weaknesses can be eliminated in future programs or tests to further
research and credibility. Opportunities and new ideas can surface with this study as a
foundation.
Further information about how the activities were chosen and what type of help was
given in-between golfing sessions would be helpful to know. If there were exercises assigned,
other forms of training, and severity of stroke would be useful in knowing what outside
influences would affect program effectiveness.
Personal Interpretation
What intrigued me about this article because it outlined a very specific form of recreation
and how it would improve the overall health of the individual. I was impressed that the study
precisely identified that static balance and coordination improved. Overall strength also

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increased. I liked that the report recorded what failed to improve so that others following could
try different approaches to help agility and dynamic balance. What struck me was that their goal
was to inform them of their bodys position (Zoernik, Carter, 2015 p. 249). Increasing
functional ability through stability, strength, agility and coordination requires control over the
body. This study is an example of how golf can create that experience for a recovering patient.
It is exciting to read about the successful results of therapeutic recreation in a variety of forms.

References
Zoernik, D., & Carter, M. (2015). A Case Report of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adults
with Stroke: Enhancing Balance and Functional Fitness through Golf. Therapeutic
Recreation Journal.

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