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The aim of the study was to determine whether lifelong football training may improve cardiovascular function, physical fitness, and body composition. Our subjects were 17 male veteran football players (VPG; 68.1 ± 2.1 years) and 26 healthy age-matched untrained men who served as a control group (CG; 68.2 ± 3.2 years). Examinations included measurements of cardiac function, microvascular endothelial function [reactive hyperemic index (RHI)], maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body composition. In VPG, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume was 20% larger (P < 0.01) and LV ejection fraction was higher (P < 0.001). Tissue Doppler imaging revealed an augmented LV longitudinal displacement, i.e., LV shortening of 21% (P < 0.001) and longitudinal 2D strain was 12% higher (P < 0.05), in VPG. In VPG, resting heart rate was lower (6 bpm, P < 0.05), and VO2max was higher (18%, P < 0.05). In addition, RHI was 21% higher (P < 0.05) in VPG. VPG also had lower body mass index (P < 0.05), body fat percentage, total body fat mass, android fat percentage, and gynoid fat percentage (all P < 0.01). Lifelong participation in football training is associated with better LV systolic function, physical fitness, microvascular function, and a healthier body composition. Overall, VPG have better cardiovascular function compared with CG, which may reduce their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The study examined the effects of 1 year of football or strength training on cardiovascular function in 65- to 75-year-old men. Twenty-six untrained men (age: 68.2 ± 3.2 years) were randomized to football training (FTG; n = 9), strength training (STG; n = 9), or control (CG; n = 8). In FTG, left ventricular (LV) internal diastolic diameter, end-diastolic volume, and mass index were 8%, 21%, and 18% higher (P < 0.01), respectively, after 12 months, with no changes in STG and CG. After 12 months, LV ejection fraction was increased (P < 0.05) by 8% and 5% in FTG and STG, respectively, and systolic longitudinal two-dimensional strain by 8% and 6%, whereas right ventricular systolic function improved (P < 0.05) by 22% in FTG, but not in STG and CG. In FTG, LV diastolic mitral inflow (E/A) ratio and peak early diastolic velocity (E') improved (P < 0.05) by 25% and 12%, respectively, after 12 months, with no changes in STG and CG. In FTG, maximum oxygen uptake was 16% and 18% higher (P < 0.001) after 4 and 12 months, respectively, and resting heart rate was 6 and 8 beats per minute lower (P < 0.001), respectively, with no changes in STG and CG. In conclusion, football training elicited superior cardiovascular effects compared with strength training in elderly untrained men., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Androgen deprivation therapy ( ADT) remains a cornerstone in the management of patients with prostate cancer ( PCa) despite adverse effects on body composition and functional parameters. We compared the effects of football training with standard care in PCa patients managed with ADT (> 6 months). Fifty-seven men aged 67 (range: 43-74) were randomly assigned to a football group ( FG, n = 29) or a usual care control group ( CON, n = 28). The primary outcome was change in lean body mass ( LBM) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. Secondary outcomes included changes in knee-extensor muscle strength (one repetition maximum), fat percentage, and maximal oxygen uptake ( VO2max). Mean heart rate during training was 137.7 (standard deviation 13.7) bpm or 84.6 (3.9)% HRmax. In FG, LBM increased by 0.5 kg [95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.1-0.9; P = 0.02] with no change in CON (mean group difference 0.7 kg; 95% CI 0.1-1.2; P = 0.02). Also, muscle strength increased in FG (8.9 kg; 95% CI 6.0-11.8; P < 0.001) with no change in CON (mean group difference 6.7 kg; 95% CI 2.8-10.7; P < 0.001). In FG, VO2max increased (1.0 mL/kg/min; 95% CI 0.2-1.9; P = 0.02) and fat percentage tended to decrease (0.7%; 95% CI 1.3-0.0; P = 0.06), but these changes were not significantly different from CON. In conclusion, football training over 12 weeks improved LBM and muscle strength compared with usual care in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of recreational football and resistance training on bone mineral density ( BMD) and bone turnover markers ( BTMs) in elderly men. Twenty-six healthy sedentary men (age 68.2 ± 3.2 years) were randomized into three groups: football ( F; n = 9) and resistance training ( R; n = 9), completing 45-60 min training two to three times weekly, and inactive controls ( C; n = 8). Before, after 4 months, and after 12 months, BMD in proximal femur ( PF) and whole body ( WB) were determined together with plasma osteocalcin ( OC), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide ( P1NP), and carboxy-terminal type-1 collagen crosslinks ( CTX-1). In F, BMD in PF increased up to 1.8% ( P < 0.05) from 0 to 4 months and up to 5.4% ( P < 0.001) from 0 to 12 months; WB-BMD remained unchanged. After 4 and 12 months of football, OC was 45% and 46% higher ( P < 0.001), and P1NP was 41% and 40% higher ( P < 0.001) than at baseline, respectively. After 12 months, CTX-1 showed a main effect of 43% ( P < 0.05). In R and C, BMD and BTM remained unchanged. In conclusion, 4 months of recreational football for elderly men had an osteogenic effect, which was further developed after 12 months, whereas resistance training had no effect. The anabolic response may be due to increased bone turnover, especially improved bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case-control study investigated the feasibility of street football as a health-enhancing activity for homeless men, specifically the musculoskeletal effects of 12 weeks of training. Twenty-two homeless men participated in the football group ( FG) and 10 served as controls ( C). Plasma osteocalcin, TRACP5b, leptin, and postural balance were measured, and whole-body DXA scanning was performed. The attendance rate was 75% (2.2 ± 0.7 sessions per week). During 60 min of training, the total distance covered was 5534 ± 610 m, with 1040 ± 353, 2744 ± 671, and 864 ± 224 m covered by high-intensity, low-intensity, and backwards/sideways running, respectively. In FG, osteocalcin increased by 27% from 20.1 ± 11.1 to 25.6 ± 11.8 ng/mL ( P = 0.007). Postural balance increased by 39% ( P = 0.004) and 46% ( P = 0.006) in right and left leg. Trunk bone mineral density increased by 1.0% from 0.959 ± 0.095 to 0.969 ± 0.090 g/cm2 ( P = 0.02). No effects were observed in C. In conclusion, street football appears to be a feasible training activity with musculoskeletal health benefits for homeless men. The attendance rate and the training intensity were high, and 12 weeks of training resulted in a substantial anabolic response in bone metabolism. Postural balance improved markedly, and the overall risk of falling, and hospitalization due to sudden trauma, could be reduced by street football for homeless men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of regular football training on glycemic control, body composition, and peak oxygen uptake ( VO2peak) were investigated in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM). Twenty-one middle-aged men (49.8 ± 1.7 years ± SEM) with T2DM were divided into a football training group ( FG; n = 12) and an inactive control group ( CG; n = 9) during a 24-week intervention period ( IP). During a 1-h football training session, the distance covered was 4.7 ± 0.2 km, mean heart rate ( HR) was 83 ± 2% of HRmax, and blood lactate levels increased ( P < 0.001) from 2.1 ± 0.3 to 8.2 ± 1.3 mmol/L. In FG, VO2peak was 11% higher ( P < 0.01), and total fat mass and android fat mass were 1.7 kg and 12.8% lower ( P < 0.001), respectively, after IP. After IP, the reduction in plasma glucose was greater ( P = 0.02) in FG than the increase in CG, and in FG, GLUT-4 tended to be higher ( P = 0.072) after IP. For glycosylated hemoglobin ( HbA1), an overall time effect ( P < 0.01) was detected after 24 weeks. After IP, the number of capillaries around type I fibers was 7% higher ( P < 0.05) in FG and 5% lower ( P < 0.05) in CG. Thus, in men with T2DM, regular football training improves VO2peak, reduces fat mass, and may positively influence glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]