The Effect of 12-Weeks Recreational Football (Soccer) for Health Intervention on Functional Movement in Older Adults

Michael J. Duncan (), Sophie Mowle, Mark Noon, Emma Eyre, Neil D. Clarke, Mathew Hill, Jason Tallis and Mikko Julin
Additional contact information
Michael J. Duncan: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Sophie Mowle: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Mark Noon: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Emma Eyre: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Neil D. Clarke: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Mathew Hill: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Jason Tallis: Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Mikko Julin: Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Unit, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, 02650 Espoo, Finland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-11

Abstract: There is growing evidence that recreational football offers health benefits for older adults and an important pathway for physical activity for older adult groups. Despite anecdotal evidence that recreational football is beneficial for older adults, no empirical data are available to support this assertion. This study addressed this issue and examined the effects of a 12-week recreational football intervention on the functional fitness of older adults. Using a pre–post case–control design, thirteen males, aged 61–73 years (mean age ± SD = 66 ± 4 years) undertook a twice-weekly, 12-week recreational football for health intervention, and were matched with a control group, comprising thirteen males, aged 62–78 years (mean age ± SD = 66 ± 4 years) who maintained their typical exercise habits during the intervention period. Pre- and postintervention, participants underwent assessment of functional fitness, using the Rikli and Jones functional fitness battery as well as an assessment of body fatness, via bioelectrical impedance analysis and dominant handgrip strength using handgrip dynamometry. Results from a series of 2 (pre–post) X 2 (intervention vs. control) repeated-measures ANOVAs indicate significant pre–post X group interactions for the 30-second chair stand ( p = 0.038, Pƞ 2 = 0.168), 8-foot timed up and go ( p = 0.001, Pƞ 2 = 0.577) and 6 min walk test ( p = 0.036, Pƞ 2 = 0.171). In all cases, performance improved significantly after the intervention for the football intervention group but not the control group. There were no significant differences in the 30 s arm curl test or dominant handgrip strength ( p > 0.05). There was a non-significant trend ( p = 0.07, Pƞ 2 = 0.127) towards a pre–post X group interaction for body fatness, showing a decreased percent body fat for the intervention group over the control group. The results of the present study demonstrate the utility of recreational football as a physical activity intervention in older adults to improve functional movement.

Keywords: walking football; older adults; physical activity; motor skill; functional fitness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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