Last updated on: 5/1/2014 | Author: ProCon.org

Neil Wolkodoff, PhD Biography

Title:
Medical Director at the Denver Center for Health & Sport Science
Position:
Pro to the question "Is Golf a Sport?"
Reasoning:

“There are a lot of ways to define a sport. But we know that the golf swing uses almost every muscle group in the body. We know it uses a pretty significant amount of energy — not as much as running a 10K but more than people think. And one significant measure of a sport is whether physical training improves your ability to perform, and I think that’s been proven in golf.

So in my estimation, it’s absolutely a sport.”

Bill Pennington, “A Little Scientific Research for All Those 19th-Hole Debates,” nytimes.com, Aug. 10, 2010
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
Experts
Individuals with MDs, JDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to sport. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to sports.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Medical Director, Colorado Center for Health & Sport Science
  • Former Medical Director, Denver Center for Health & Sport Science, Rose Medical Center
  • Exercise physiologist and director of education, Pro-Rehab & Fitness Center
  • President, Energy Zone
  • Book review editor and columnist, Fitness Management Magazine
  • Level 200 certified ski coach, US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)
  • Golf conditioning consultant, University of Colorado and University of Louisville
  • Former consultant, Denver Broncos
  • Former consultant, Vail Ski School
  • Former Program Director, Denver Center for Health & Sport Science, Rose Medical Center
  • Former editor and a member, certification committee, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
  • Former editor and a member, certification committee, ACE: Clinical Exercise Specialist (ACE)
  • Former member, certification committee, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  • Former State Director, Colorado NSCA
  • Recipient, State Director of the Year award, NSCA
Education:
  • PhD, school unknown
Other:
  • Holds advanced certifications from the American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, US Weight Lifting Federation, and Pilates Method Alliance
  • Has presented at international fitness and sports science events
  • Has trained NFL, NHL, MLB, and Olympic athletes
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Is Golf a Sport?