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Lawn bowls - health benefits
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Lawn bowls is a precision sport in which the goal is to roll slightly asymmetrical balls (called bowls) closer to a smaller white ball (the ‘jack’) than your opponent is able to do. Related to bocce and pétanque, this game is a popular sport and leisure activity in Australia. In fact, an estimated 296,000 Australian men and women play bowls.
Lawn bowls is played for the challenge and competition, personal enjoyment, activity, the pleasure of spending time outdoors and for social interaction. It is also a low impact, therapeutic form of exercise.
Health benefits
Health professionals recommend playing bowls, particularly for older people, as it provides a number of health benefits, including:
- Improved fitness
- Improved coordination and skill development
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- Enhanced mental wellbeing
- Low risk physical activity, because it is low impact
- Social contact, because it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends
- Community connectedness and support.
Getting started
Because of its relaxed pace and comparatively light physical demands, lawn bowls is a popular participant sport, particularly for the elderly. There is also a considerable professional competition dominated by younger men and women.
A good way to get started is to join a local club or start playing socially. However, you don’t always need to join a club to play bowls. A new phenomenon is ‘barefoot bowls’, where established clubs have opened their greens to paying customers who rent rinks and bowls for limited time. It’s popular with the 20–30 years age group, who enjoy the social, informal structure. It can be a good way to become familiar with the sport.
Preventing injury
Falls are the most frequent cause of injuries in lawn bowls. Other common causes are overexertion and being struck by a bowl. The repetitive movement of bowling is also associated with overuse injury. Common injuries are strains, sprains and fractures. Some tips to avoid injuries include:
- See your doctor for a check-up if you have a medical condition, are overweight, are over 40 years old or haven’t exercised regularly.
- Warm up and stretch before play to improve joint range of motion, promote elasticity of tendons and ligaments, and prevent muscular strain.
- Cool down after play to prevent stiffness and cardiovascular complications.
- Take lessons from a qualified coach to develop skills and technique.
- Practise correct technique because poor delivery or balance, or incorrect grip of the bowl, can lead to injury.
- Use a trolley if you experience difficulty lifting a bowls bag.
- Seek professional advice when selecting bowls to ensure they are the correct size, to improve technique and prevent injury.
- Wear grip sole shoes when stepping off the green.
- Be sunsmart. Wear 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin and a broad-brimmed hat.
- Avoid playing lawn bowls in extreme weather conditions.
- Drink water before, during and after activity.
Where to get help
Things to remember
- Lawn bowls is a low impact, therapeutic exercise that can improve fitness, coordination and confidence.
- Consider lessons to develop adequate skills and technique.
- Warm up and stretch before and cool down after play.
You might also be interested in:
Lawn bowls - preventing injury.
Physical activity - choosing the one for you.
Physical activity - how to get started.
Physical activity - it's important.
Physical activity - men.
Physical activity - setting yourself goals.
Physical activity - women.
Physical activity tips (1) - think active.
Physical activity tips (8) - have fun.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:
Smartplay
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Copyight © 1999/2010 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
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This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
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Last updated: August 2009
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Lawn bowls is a precision sport that is played for the challenge and competition, personal enjoyment, physical activity, the pleasure of spending time outdoors and for social interaction. It is also a low impact, therapeutic form of exercise...
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© State of Victoria. All rights reserved
The information published here was accurate at the time of publication and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional.
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