Beneficial effects of four months of street football practice on training status and health profile for homeless males

• Published in: Journal of sports science & medicine Vol. 6
• Main Authors: Krustrup, B R, Petersen, AMW
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2007
• ISSN: 1303-2968; 1303-2968

OBJECTIVE It is well-established that physical activity is important for musculoskeletal function and cardiovascular health. However, little is known about the health promoting effects of recreational soccer, as most scientific studies have investigated the effects of jogging, swimming and bicycling. The present study investigated the effects of street football training performed twice a week for four months as preparation for the Homeless World Cup 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, the heart rate (HR) response to ordinary street football training for this group was determined. METHODS Thirteen players (19-44 yrs) took part in two weekly 90-min street football training sessions for four months (4v4, pitch 16x22m). Heart rate was recorded during one training session. Body mass, fat percentage (Durnin & Womersley, 1974), fat free body mass, quadriceps muscle mass (Krustrup et al. 2004) and blood pressure were meas-ured and the Yo-Yo IE2 test and 1-min non-dominant leg balance test (Eurofit, 1988) were performed before (BT) and after the intervention (AT). RESULTS Mean HR was 154 plus or minus 4 bpm or 84 plus or minus 1% of HRmax. HR was 80-90% and >90% HRmax for 30 plus or minus 2 and 31 plus or minus 4% of the time. Body mass was unaltered, but fat free body mass was 2.3 kg higher (p<0.05) and fat percentage tended to be lower after the training period. Diastolic blood pressure was 5 mmHg lower (p<0.05), quadriceps mass was 12% higher (p<0.05) and Yo-Yo IE2 performance was 54% better (p<0.05) after training. DISCUSSION This study characterized street football as aerobic moderate and high intensity training (Bangsbo et al. 2006) and provided evidence that regular participation in street football has beneficial effects on training status and health profile for a group of homeless males. Players with poor aerobic power, low muscle mass and mild hypertension, had their physical health profile normalized after 4 months of training. CONCLUSION In conclusion, players with poor aerobic power, low muscle mass and mild hypertension, had their physical health profile normalized after 4 months of training.