Centre for Sport, Exercise, and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Unit, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, 02650 Espoo, Finland.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 20;19(20):13625. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013625.
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 ( = 0.038, Pƞ = 0.168), 8-foot timed up and go ( = 0.001, Pƞ = 0.577) and 6 min walk test ( = 0.036, Pƞ = 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 ( > 0.05). There was a non-significant trend ( = 0.07, Pƞ = 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.
越来越多的证据表明，休闲足球为老年人带来了健康益处，是老年人进行体育活动的重要途径。尽管有休闲足球对老年人有益的传闻证据，但没有实证数据支持这一说法。本研究解决了这个问题，考察了 12 周休闲足球干预对老年人功能性体能的影响。采用前后对照病例对照设计，13 名年龄在 61-73 岁（平均年龄±标准差=66±4 岁）的男性参加了一项为期 12 周的、以健康为目的的休闲足球活动，与对照组 13 名年龄在 62-78 岁（平均年龄±标准差=66±4 岁）的男性相匹配，对照组在干预期间保持其典型的运动习惯。在干预前后，参与者接受了功能性体能测试，使用 Rikli 和 Jones 功能性体能测试套件以及生物电阻抗分析评估体脂率，通过握力计评估优势手握力。一系列 2（前后）×2（干预组与对照组）重复测量方差分析的结果表明，30 秒椅站（ = 0.038，Pƞ = 0.168）、8 英尺计时起立行走（ = 0.001，Pƞ = 0.577）和 6 分钟步行测试（ = 0.036，Pƞ = 0.171）的前后×组交互作用具有显著意义。在所有情况下，干预后足球干预组的表现都有显著改善，但对照组没有。30 秒手臂卷曲测试或优势手握力无显著差异（ > 0.05）。体脂率的前后×组交互作用有一个非显著趋势（ = 0.07，Pƞ = 0.127），表明干预组的体脂百分比比对照组有所下降。本研究的结果表明，休闲足球作为一种针对老年人的体育活动干预措施，可以改善功能性运动。
