Effects of floorball and strength training in a real-life setting on health and physical function in older men.

BACKGROUND

There is lacking information about the physiological response when conducting exercise training of older men in a real-life setting.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of floorball and strength training in a real-life setting on health and physical function in older men.

METHODS

Seventy-six sedentary men aged 72.3 ± 0.6 (means ± SE; range: 63-92) years with a height, body mass and body mass index of 178.9 ± 0.8 cm; 92.1 ± 2.2 kg: 28.7 ± 0.6 kg/m, respectively, were recruited to floorball (FG, n = 29), strength (SG, n = 38) or bowls (BG, n = 9) training 1 h twice a week in municipal activity centers and senior sport clubs. Subjects were tested at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Twelve weeks of floorball and strength training lead to reduced (P < 0.05) blood glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac), body mass, fat mass, visceral and android fat. Further, SG had a decrease (P < 0.05) in gynoid fat as well as total and LDL plasma cholesterol. FG and SG decreased heart rate at rest. In SG, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also reduced (P < 0.05). FG increased (P < 0.05) markers for bone growth. FG and SG improved (P < 0.05) functional capacity. The improvements in FG and SG were maintained after 24 weeks. BG did not have any changes.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, older men conducting floorball or strength training twice a week in a real-life setting can improve functional capacity and a high number of health factors, whereas playing bowls does not lead to physiological changes.