Recreational soccer is an effective health promoting activity for untrained men

TY - JOUR

T1 - Recreational soccer is an effective health promoting activity for untrained men

AU - Krustrup, Peter

AU - Nielsen, Jens Jung

AU - Krustrup, Birgitte

AU - Christensen, Jesper F.

AU - Pedersen, Henrik

AU - Randers, Morten B

AU - Aagaard, Per

AU - Petersen, Anne-Marie

AU - Nybo, Lars

AU - Bangsbo, Jens

N1 - CURIS 2009 5200 162

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - To examine the effects of regular participation in recreational soccer on health profile, 38 healthy untrained Danish males aged 20-43 years were randomised into a soccer group (SO; n=14), a running group (RU; n=13) and a control group (CO; n=11). Training was performed for one hour two-three times per week for 12 weeks; at an average heart rate of 82+/-2 and 82+/-1% (+/-SEM) of HRmax for SO and RU, respectively. During the 12-week period, maximal oxygen uptake increased (P<0.05) by 13+/-3% and 8+/-3% in SO and RU, respectively. In SO, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was reduced (P<0.05) from 132+/-2 to 123+/-3 mmHg and from 77+/-2 to 72+/-2 mmHg, respectively, after 12 weeks, with similar decreases observed for RU. After the 12 wks of training, fat mass was 3.0% (2.7+/-0.6 kg) and 1.8% (1.8+/-0.4 kg) lower (P<0.05) for SO and RU, respectively. Only SO had an increase in lean body mass (1.7+/-0.4 kg, P<0.05), an increase in lower extremity bone mass (41+/-8 g, P<0.05), a decrease in LDL-cholesterol (2.7+/-0.2 to 2.3+/-0.2 mM; P<0.05) and an increase (P<0.05) in fat oxidation during running at 9.5 km/h. The number of capillaries per muscle fibre was 22+/-4% and 16+/-6% higher (P<0.05) in SO and RU, respectively, after 12 weeks. No changes in any of the measured variables were observed for CO. In conclusion, participation in regular recreational soccer training, organised as small-sided drills, has significant beneficial effects on health profile and physical capacity for untrained men, and in some aspects it is superior to frequent moderate intensity running.

AB - To examine the effects of regular participation in recreational soccer on health profile, 38 healthy untrained Danish males aged 20-43 years were randomised into a soccer group (SO; n=14), a running group (RU; n=13) and a control group (CO; n=11). Training was performed for one hour two-three times per week for 12 weeks; at an average heart rate of 82+/-2 and 82+/-1% (+/-SEM) of HRmax for SO and RU, respectively. During the 12-week period, maximal oxygen uptake increased (P<0.05) by 13+/-3% and 8+/-3% in SO and RU, respectively. In SO, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was reduced (P<0.05) from 132+/-2 to 123+/-3 mmHg and from 77+/-2 to 72+/-2 mmHg, respectively, after 12 weeks, with similar decreases observed for RU. After the 12 wks of training, fat mass was 3.0% (2.7+/-0.6 kg) and 1.8% (1.8+/-0.4 kg) lower (P<0.05) for SO and RU, respectively. Only SO had an increase in lean body mass (1.7+/-0.4 kg, P<0.05), an increase in lower extremity bone mass (41+/-8 g, P<0.05), a decrease in LDL-cholesterol (2.7+/-0.2 to 2.3+/-0.2 mM; P<0.05) and an increase (P<0.05) in fat oxidation during running at 9.5 km/h. The number of capillaries per muscle fibre was 22+/-4% and 16+/-6% higher (P<0.05) in SO and RU, respectively, after 12 weeks. No changes in any of the measured variables were observed for CO. In conclusion, participation in regular recreational soccer training, organised as small-sided drills, has significant beneficial effects on health profile and physical capacity for untrained men, and in some aspects it is superior to frequent moderate intensity running.

U2 - 10.1136/bjsm.2008.053124

DO - 10.1136/bjsm.2008.053124

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19098116

SN - 0306-3674

VL - 43

SP - 825

EP - 831

JO - British Journal of Sports Medicine

JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine

IS - 11

ER -