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Objective: To compare the exercise intensity of walking football (WF) with walking (WA) and to describe specific movement characteristics of WF. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Sports facilities Saarland University, Germany. Patients: Eighteen patients with cardiovascular risk factors CVRFs and diseases (13 men and 5 women, age: 69610 years). Independent variables: Patients completed a WF match and WA session of 2 x 10 min each. Video analysis was used to characterize movements during WF. Main OutcomeMeasures: Rate of perceived exertion (RPE, Borg Scale 6-20),%maximum heart rate (HRmax), musculoskeletal pain on a visual analog scale (VAS, 1-100 mm) before and up to 72 hours after exercise, and movement patterns during WF. Results: The mean RPE during WF (12.1 6 2.7) and WA (11.9 6 3.0) did not differ (P 5 0.63). The mean HR during WF (79612% of HRmax) was higher than duringWA(71%611%; P, 0.01). The HR variability coefficient of variation during WF (10.3% 6 5.8%) and WA (7.1 6 5.5%) did not differ (P 5 0.13). There was no influence of exercise mode (WF vs WA) on musculoskeletal pain perception (P 5 0.96 for interaction). Injury-inciting activities such as lunges (median: 0.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 0-1.3]) and goal kicks (median: 4 [IQR: 1.8-5.3]) occurred rarely during WF. Conclusions: Walking football might represent an alternative to WA for health prevention programs in patients with CVRF and diseases as it is characterized by a manageable cardiocirculatory strain, moderate RPE, low pain induction, and a low number of injury-inciting activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractLeisure is heralded as a channel for connection, belonging, and inclusion in later-life, particularly owing to a presumed threat of isolation and loneliness. Yet, such a framing of later-life leisure risks obscuring moments of conflict and marginalization. Drawing on interviews with 65 people who play walking football, this article explores how players praise its “inclusive” ethic by asserting and celebrating open recruitment policies, the participation of men and women from mixed social backgrounds, and the accommodations afforded to certain players. However, participants simultaneously highlight instances in which inclusion is compromised, such as players disturbing the “ethos” of the sport and mistreating others on account of gender and/or performance levels. Such transgressions, in turn, are navigated in different ways by players and organizers to preserve the sport’s inclusive reputation. To conclude, this article sketches out how the experiences of walking footballers can disrupt sentimental and idealized conceptions of older people’s leisure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older men are often treated as homogenous, a-gendered, and unmasculine. Drawing on 52 interviews with older men who play walking football in the UK, we explore how their experiences can be understood through a lens of masculinity. Men claimed that walking football offers an outlet for both competition and displaying physical prowess. Their embodied performances were crucial for cultivating a masculine identity which, whilst threatened by the ageing process, sustained their privilege and status. Yet, men also described how modes of care, friendship, and interdependence became central to their experiences. As men aged, the constraints around expressing feelings of intimacy, on account of hegemonic norms recognised in their youth, were loosened. Via the empirical analysis presented, the article contributes to both the study of the lives of older men and the continued absence of older men in masculinity theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cardiovascular concerns in hypertensive elderly men, evaluating the effectiveness of a walking football program for targeted health improvement in this population. Study purpose. This study aims to clarify and characterize changes in cardiovascular health due to a 12-week walking football training program in male seniors (60-70 years) with hypertension. Materials and methods. This study engaged 60 male participants aged 60 to 70 years from diverse regions of Kashmir, India with hypertension. Purposive sampling was used to select individuals who hadn't participated in physical activities for six months. In addition, participants were split into two groups: experimental and control. The study's design and objectives were explained to participants one week before testing. Baseline data was collected a week prior to the 12-week program. The experimental group attended thrice-weekly, 1-hour walking football sessions with 10-minute warm-up, a 45-minute game, and 5 minute cool-down. Assessments were conducted at the end of the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. To analyze the data, a 2 (group: experimental, and control) X 4 (time: baseline, 4th week, 8th week, and 12th week) mixed ANOVA was conducted. Results. During the study, the control group displayed a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by week 8, which returned to baseline levels by week 12. Conversely, the experimental group demonstrated a consistent decline in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as resting heart rate (RHR), with a significant decrease observed by week 12. Additionally, basal metabolic rate (BMR) steadily increased in the experimental group over the 12 weeks. On the other hand, the control group exhibited no significant changes in DBP, RHR, or BMR throughout the duration of the training program. Conclusions. Walking football proves beneficial for hypertension, highlighting its public health potential. Research advocates its integration into interventions for community well-being.

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There is a growing need to identify acceptable and feasible opportunities to engage adults over 35 years in physical activity. Walking sports may be a potential means to engage adults in sport; however, there is limited evidence regarding appeal and feasibility to support its implementation and delivery. Using a two‐step mixed‐methods approach, we aimed (1) to quantitively identify significant predictors of intentions of adults over 35 years to participate in walking sports and (2) to understand why and how these identified predictors may be contextually relevant to the target group. In phase one, 282 adults over 35 years (Mage = 46.08, SD = 9.75) without prior experience of walking sports completed an online questionnaire assessing personal, psychosocial, program‐related, and environmental predictors, and intentions to participate in walking sports. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions showed that perceived health status, attitudes, subjective norms, and distance of venue were significant predictors of intentions. In phase two, interviews with a subset of 17 participants indicated that, when implementing walking sport programs, program labeling, fear of the unknown, and individual differences in the appeal of walking sport warrant consideration. Together, these findings offer insight into the complex interplay of personal, psychosocial, program‐related, and environmental predictors of adults' intentions to participate in walking sports. Addressing these elements of a walking sport program would make such programs more appealing to potential participants, and ultimately, more feasible and sustainable to conduct in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To analyze the feasibility and impact of a walking football (WF) program on quality of life (QoL), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength, and balance program in men with prostate cancer under androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: Fifty patients with prostate cancer (stages IIb-IVb) under ADT were randomized to a 16-week WF program plus usual care (n=25) or usual care control group (n=25). The WF program consisted of three 90-minute sessions per week. Recruitment, withdrawal, adherence, enjoyment rate, and safety of the intervention were recorded throughout the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed before and after the interventions, while handgrip strength, lower limb muscle strength, static balance, and QoL were assessed before, during (week 8), and after (week 16) the interventions. Adverse events during sessions were also recorded. Results: The WF group showed high levels of adherence (81.6 ± 15.9%) and enjoyment rate (4.5 ± 0.5 out of 5 points). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the WF group showed an improvement in chair sit-to-stand (p=0.035) compared to the control group. Within-group comparisons showed that handgrip strength in the dominant upper limb (p=0.024), maximal isometric muscle strength in the non-dominant lower limb (p=0.006), and balance in the dominant limb (p=0.009) improved over time in the WF group but not in the usual care group. The results obtained from the per-protocol analysis indicate that CRF improved significantly in the WF group as compared to the control group (p=0.035). Within-group analysis revealed that CRF (p=0.036), muscle strength in dominant (p=0.006) and non-dominant (p=0.001) lower limbs, and balance in the non-dominant lower limb (p=0.023) improved after 16 weeks of WF, but not in the control group. One major traumatic injury (muscle tear) was reported with a complete recovery before the end of the intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that WF is feasible, safe, and enjoyable in patients with prostate cancer under hormonal therapy. Furthermore, patients who adhere to the WF program can expect cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and balance improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsTo analyze the feasibility and impact of a walking football (WF) program on quality of life (QoL), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength, and balance program in men with prostate cancer under androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).MethodsFifty patients with prostate cancer (stages IIb-IVb) under ADT were randomized to a 16-week WF program plus usual care (n=25) or usual care control group (n=25). The WF program consisted of three 90-minute sessions per week. Recruitment, withdrawal, adherence, enjoyment rate, and safety of the intervention were recorded throughout the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed before and after the interventions, while handgrip strength, lower limb muscle strength, static balance, and QoL were assessed before, during (week 8), and after (week 16) the interventions. Adverse events during sessions were also recorded.ResultsThe WF group showed high levels of adherence (81.6 ± 15.9%) and enjoyment rate (4.5 ± 0.5 out of 5 points). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the WF group showed an improvement in chair sit-to-stand (p=0.035) compared to the control group. Within-group comparisons showed that handgrip strength in the dominant upper limb (p=0.024), maximal isometric muscle strength in the non-dominant lower limb (p=0.006), and balance in the dominant limb (p=0.009) improved over time in the WF group but not in the usual care group. The results obtained from the per-protocol analysis indicate that CRF improved significantly in the WF group as compared to the control group (p=0.035). Within-group analysis revealed that CRF (p=0.036), muscle strength in dominant (p=0.006) and non-dominant (p=0.001) lower limbs, and balance in the non-dominant lower limb (p=0.023) improved after 16 weeks of WF, but not in the control group. One major traumatic injury (muscle tear) was reported with a complete recovery before the end of the intervention.ConclusionThis study suggests that WF is feasible, safe, and enjoyable in patients with prostate cancer under hormonal therapy. Furthermore, patients who adhere to the WF program can expect cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and balance improvements.Clinical trials registrationclinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04062162.

Inclusive and modified sport promotes opportunities for participation usually for older people or people with disabilities, physical and or mental health issues. Walking sports, a form of modified sport, is often designed to support engagement in physical and social activity amongst people over 50 years. This qualitative study explored how walking football sessions were designed and delivered for, and experienced by people living with dementia and their family carers. We thematically analysed 18 qualitative interviews and identified three main themes (1) social impact, (2) embodied memories and (3) flexible carer respite. The findings increase our understanding of how walking sports such as football can be viewed as a psychosocial intervention and be modified to promote the inclusion and agency of people living with dementia and respite for family carers. The study offers best practice recommendations for those organising modified sports activities for older people living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a walking football (WF) program during Ramadan fasting (RF) on heart rate variability (HRV) indices, body composition, and physical fitness in middle-aged males. Thirty-one healthy sedentary men were randomized to WF (n = 18) and control (n = 13) groups. Both groups participated in RF. The WF group were involved in a training program (small-sided games) of three sessions a week during RF. The time and frequency domains of HRV, body composition, handgrip, lumbar strength, Modified Agility Test (MAT), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were measured before Ramadan (BR), during Ramadan (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). We reported that RF has significantly altered some parameters of HRV DR; the mean HR decreased while the mean RR, LF, and HF increased. WF had a significant effect on HRV and mean HR DR compared with BR and AR decreased while mean RR, HF and LF increased. DR, body mass decreased in both groups, while body mass index (BMI) decreased and lean mass increased only in WF group. Lower body mass and BMI levels were reported AR only in WF group. Physical capacity improved AR, compared with BR, only in the WF group with longer distance in 6MWT, shorter time(s) in MAT, and higher lumbar strength levels. We conclude that RF increases parasympathetic system activity. WF practice during RF is safe and might improve body composition, physical fitness, autonomic cardiac function, and physical fitness in middle-aged males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced diet and regular physical activity are of key importance to the prevention of the development and progression of non-communicable diseases. In 2050, 50% of the European population is expected to be obese. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer, as well as joint impairments, will further increase. Therefore, programmes are critical to the improvement of the population's health status in the long run. New ways have to be found that allow addressing more people than with the current approaches. Football has a great potential to attract people at risk for or with already existing non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, to participate in health-promoting programmes. The novel football version, walking football was developed for elderly players, aiming at avoiding injuries and physical overload. The present article gives a brief overview on the metabolic effects of recreational football, particularly walking football, as well as health-promoting programmes offered by professional football clubs in humans at risk for or with already existing non-communicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concurrent exercise and intermittent fasting regimens for long periods have been shown to enhance cardiometabolic health in healthy individuals. As exercise and fasting confer health benefits independently, we propose that Muslims who are fasting, especially those experiencing health and clinical challenges, continually engage in physical activity during the Ramadan month. In this opinion piece, we recommend walking football (WF) as the exercise of choice among Muslims who are fasting. WF can be played by any individual regardless of the level of fitness, skills, and age. WF has been shown to elicit cardiovascular and metabolic stress responses, which are suitable for populations with low fitness levels. Most importantly, WF has the inherent characteristics of being a fun team activity requiring social interactions among participants and, hence, likely to encourage long-term consistent and sustainable participation.

A incapacidade para realizar as atividades rotineiras está positivamente correlacionada com o aumento da idade, com a inatividade física e com o excesso de comportamento sedentário diário. Uma estratégia passível de ser utilizada para incrementar a saúde biopsicossocial da população idosa consiste na sensibilização para a participação em atividades desportivas. O objetivo desta investigação foi sintetizar os estudos científicos primários produzidos no âmbito da prática de desportos coletivos na população idosa. Para tal, foi realizada uma revisão rápida de literatura. As revisões rápidas são uma forma de síntese de evidências científicas, onde as componentes do processo de revisão sistemática são simplificadas de forma a produzir informação relevante de forma atempada. Nesse sentido, foram definidos um conjunto alargado de critérios de elegibilidade, entre os quais foram considerados estudos que, por um lado, incorporassem os motivos que sustentam a prática de desportos coletivos e, por outro lado, transparecessem conclusões relativas aos benefícios dela provenientes. Posteriormente, foi desenvolvida uma estratégia de pesquisa sistemática de literatura em bases eletrónicas de dados científicos (bon, Pubmed e Web of Science). Os estudos foram incluídos na síntese final através de um processo de seleção por fases e os dados foram analisados através de uma análise temática indutiva. A opção pela prática de desportos coletivos deve ser cada vez mais incrementada na medida em que são consideradas atividades muito mais motivadoras e estimulantes. Nesse sentido, os técnicos de intervenção geriátrica devem entender os desportos coletivos,como porexemplo o Walking Football,enquanto versão adaptada daconfiguração tradicional do Futebol, como um mecanismo suscetível de ser concretizado uma vez que denota provocar efeitos benéficos tanto a nível intrapessoal como no âmbito dos vínculos sociais.

Background: Walking soccer (football) is an emerging modified sport gaining recognition globally. Objectives: To synthesize current evidence for walking soccer and provide a summary of global walking soccer organizations. Data sources: We searched for studies published across all years and all languages within multiple databases for studies focused on walking soccer (football) in adults (18 + years). Two authors independently screened citations at Level 1 and 2. We also conducted a forward citation search and reviewed the reference lists for included studies. We searched the gray literature to identify walking soccer organizations. We conducted the last database search in December 2019. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: We conducted a standard systematic review following established guidelines. We also summarized findings from a limited search for walking soccer organizations. For peer‐reviewed literature, we used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess methodological quality and conducted a narrative synthesis of the evidence. Results: We identified nine peer‐reviewed studies (with 117 participants). Most studies included small sample sizes and interventions with short duration. Walking soccer is an emerging modified sport that is popular across the United Kingdom (UK), with its reach extending to other countries. Conclusions: Limited published evidence exists for walking soccer, despite is global popularity. For the studies identified, generalizability was limited to predominately older men from the UK. Based on preliminary findings, walking soccer has the potential to confer health benefits and build social connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the large-scale growth of walking sport (WS) programmes globally, limited research has explored the experiences of the key stakeholders involved in such programmes (i.e. decision-makers, facilitators, and players). We aimed to explore stakeholder experiences of community-based WS programmes to better understand the appeal of such sport options for middle-aged and older adults, and propose tentative recommendations for the feasibility and sustainability of these types of programmes. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 stakeholders who were involved with WS programmes in Australia as decision-makers, facilitators, and/or players. Data were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis. Four key themes pertaining to the WS experience were identified - 'a renewed lease of life', 'navigating ageing stereotypes', 'tension between organisational demands and players' needs', and 'WS facilitators as catalysts of success'. Specifically, we found that WS participation enabled a positive ageing discourse for middle-aged and older adults. WS players had to negotiate stereotypes that, at times, were perceived as participation barriers. We also noted some tensions between the demands of sport organisations and the needs of middle-aged and older adults regarding sport participation. Finally, we also noted the importance of the facilitators' role in increasing accessibility of, and long-term participation in, such programmes. We suggest that to offer feasible and sustainable community-based WS programmes across Australia, incompatibilities across various stakeholders' perspectives need to be addressed., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(S)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

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.