Lawn Bowls Health Benefits

Overview

Lawn bowls is a gentle, low-impact sport. Players roll heavy balls, called bowls, across a flat grass or artificial surface and try to get as close as possible to a small target ball. You can play alone against one person or in teams, and it can be as relaxed or as competitive as you like. Because a game involves plenty of walking, bending, stretching and thinking about aim, it is a surprisingly good way to stay active, especially for people who find running or gym workouts hard on their joints.

Yes. Lawn bowls is played widely around the world and is one of the most popular activities for people over 50 in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Many clubs also run sessions for younger players, families and people new to exercise.

Anyone can play. Most club members are older adults, but the game is growing among younger players too. It suits people with arthritis, people getting back into activity after illness or surgery (with advice from their healthcare team), and anyone who wants gentle exercise and friendly company.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Mild muscle soreness in the legs, back or shoulder for a day or two after your first few games. This is normal and usually settles as your body gets used to the movements.
• Feeling pleasantly tired and sleeping better after a game.
• Improved mood and a sense of achievement from playing with others.
• Slight stiffness in the knees or hips when you stand up after crouching to bowl.
• Red or tender skin after playing outdoors without enough sun protection.

Symptoms in children

• Sore arms or shoulders if a child uses bowls that are too heavy. Ask the club for junior-size bowls.
• Tiredness, thirst or overheating on warm days. Children need frequent water breaks and shade.
• Boredom if sessions run too long. Short, fun sessions work best for younger players.
• Minor scrapes or bruises from slips on wet or uneven grass.

Symptoms in older adults

• Dizziness or light-headedness when standing up quickly, especially in hot weather.
• Aching or stiffness in the knees, hips, back or shoulders, particularly when the bowling action is repeated many times.
• Stumbling or losing balance on uneven grass, mats, steps or kerbs. Falls are the main risk in bowls.
• New or worsening pain that lasts more than a few days.
• Signs of dehydration such as dark urine, headache, dry mouth or confusion.

Causes

Main causes

• Gentle aerobic activity. Walking across the green and to and from the clubhouse raises your heart rate without jarring your joints.
• Balance and coordination. Stepping, bending and releasing the bowl at the right moment trains steady, controlled movement.
• Strength and flexibility. Bending, squatting, reaching and carrying bowls works your legs, hips, back and arms.
• Brain work. Judging distance, speed and the curve of the green keeps your concentration sharp.
• Social contact. A regular game is a friendly routine that reduces loneliness and isolation.
• Time outdoors. Daylight and fresh air support better sleep and mood.

Risk factors

• Being new to exercise, or coming back after a long break, and doing too much too soon.
• Poor balance, frailty or a previous fall.
• Arthritis or an old joint injury, especially in the shoulder, knee or hip.
• Hot weather, strong sun and not drinking enough.
• Unsupportive shoes, slippery soles, or loose clothing that can trip you.
• Some medicines can cause dizziness or make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Ask your pharmacist to review yours.
• Uneven surfaces, steps, mats and wet grass.
• Playing for a long time without breaks.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have chest pain, fainting, sudden weakness or slurred speech. Call your local emergency number right away.
• You fall and cannot bear weight on a leg, or a joint looks deformed.
• A joint becomes hot, red and very swollen.
• You have back pain with numbness or weakness in your legs.
• You feel confused, very dizzy or unwell in the heat and do not improve after resting in a cool place and drinking water.

Book a routine appointment if:

• A joint or muscle ache lasts more than a week or keeps coming back after games.
• You feel unsteady on your feet or have had a near-fall.
• You want advice before starting bowls, especially if you have a heart condition, diabetes, lung disease or have not exercised for a long time.
• Your medicines make you dizzy or sleepy.
• You feel low in mood or lonely and would like support.

Diagnosis

You do not need a diagnosis to enjoy lawn bowls. But a general check-up before you start is sensible, particularly if you have not exercised for a while or live with a long-term condition. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will mainly ask about your health, your medicines, your balance, and any joints that give you trouble. If something is painful, they will examine that area.

Tests that may be done

• A blood pressure check.
• A review of your medicines, including anything that could cause dizziness.
• A simple balance and walking check.
• An eye test with an optician if you have not had one recently.
• A foot check, particularly if you have diabetes or circulation problems.
• Blood tests if you have a long-term condition that needs monitoring.
• A joint examination or scan if you have ongoing pain.

What to expect at your appointment

It is usually a short, friendly conversation rather than a set of tests. Bring a list of your medicines and mention any worries about your heart, balance or joints. The aim is not to stop you playing, but to help you play comfortably and safely for as long as you want to.

Treatment

There is nothing to cure here, because bowls is a health-boosting activity rather than an illness. What matters is looking after your body so you can keep playing comfortably. That usually means building up slowly, warming up, wearing supportive shoes, drinking enough, and getting advice early if a niggle does not settle. Small changes to how you play often make a big difference.

Self-care at home

• Start with one short session a week and add more only when you feel ready.
• Warm up for five to ten minutes with gentle walking and arm and shoulder circles.
• Cool down and stretch your legs, back and shoulders afterwards.
• Wear flat shoes with good grip that are not too tight.
• Take a water bottle and sip regularly, even on cool days.
• Wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses outdoors, and seek shade between ends.
• Ask the club about lighter bowls, a bowling arm, or seated play if bending is hard.
• Take a short rest if you feel dizzy, and tell someone if you feel unwell.

Medical treatments

If a shoulder, knee, hip or back problem develops, treatment is often simple. Physiotherapy can build strength and improve movement. Your pharmacist can advise on pain relief that is suitable for you, taking other medicines and health conditions into account. Your doctor may review medicines that cause dizziness and check for conditions such as arthritis or reduced bone strength. Podiatry advice can help with foot comfort. Anything stronger is discussed with your own healthcare team so it fits your situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for problems related to lawn bowls. It may be discussed if you have a joint injury that does not heal with rest and physiotherapy, or if you already need a hip or knee replacement for arthritis. Most people return to bowls afterwards with a gradual, guided build-up.

Living with this condition

Most players settle into a comfortable routine: one or two games a week, a regular group of people they look forward to seeing, and a bit of gentle movement in between. Pacing yourself matters. If you feel tired the next day, play a little less next time. Keep an eye on the weather and plan around very hot days, playing in the morning or evening instead.

Lifestyle tips

• Build strength and balance into your week with simple activities such as walking, tai chi, or standing on one leg while holding a stable support.
• Stay connected. Club social events are part of your health routine, not an extra.
• Check your feet and footwear regularly, especially if you have diabetes.
• Get your eyesight checked at least every two years and wear your glasses if you need them to judge distance.
• Limit alcohol before play, since it affects balance and judgement.
• Have a plan for getting to and from the club, and let someone know if you are unwell.

Diet and exercise

Eat a light meal or snack an hour or two before playing so you have energy without feeling heavy. Keep drinking water before, during and after the game, and eat fruit or a small sandwich at the halfway break on longer sessions. On regular days, aim for the general advice of moving every day, keeping your muscles working with two short strength sessions a week, and eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains. If you have diabetes, heart problems or kidney disease, ask your healthcare team for advice on food, fluids and any dietary limits.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Many players say the friendship and the weekly rhythm matter as much as the exercise. Being part of a team gives purpose, keeps the mind active and reduces loneliness, all of which support mood. It is also normal to feel frustrated when you are learning or when a bad day on the green affects you. If low mood, worry or loneliness is affecting your daily life, please talk to your doctor or nurse. If you ever feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support line in your country straight away.

Prevention

You cannot stop ageing, but you can greatly reduce the chance of injury and make the benefits last. Build up gradually, warm up, wear supportive shoes, drink enough, protect your skin and eyes from the sun, and work on your balance and strength between games. Getting a niggle checked early usually stops it becoming a bigger problem.

Screening programmes

Regular health checks help you stay active safely. Have your blood pressure checked as advised, keep up with eye tests (usually every two years), and ask about your bone health if you have broken a bone after a minor fall or are over 65. If you have diabetes, keep up with foot checks. Mention your bowls to your doctor or nurse so they can give advice that fits your life.

Complications

If left untreated

• A sore shoulder, knee or back that is ignored can become a long-term problem that makes playing painful.
• Poor balance left unaddressed raises the risk of a fall, which can lead to a broken bone.
• Stopping all activity through fear of injury can lead to weaker muscles, stiffer joints and poorer balance over time.
• Staying at home more can increase loneliness and low mood.
• Dehydration and overheating in hot weather can cause serious illness if not recognised.

Long-term outlook

Very good. Lawn bowls is a low-impact activity that rewards consistency rather than fitness, and most people can enjoy it for many years. If an injury does happen, rest and simple rehabilitation usually work well. The wider benefits, better mood, steadier balance and regular friendly company, tend to build up steadily the longer you play.

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