Playing soccer regularly can reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures, according to an extensive research project.
Led by Professors Peter Krustrup and Jens Bangsbo from Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 50 researchers from seven countries have studied the physical, psychological and social aspects of soccer.
Ayurvedic Sports Medicine to be Used in Kerala
Media reports have indicated that the Kerala Government is exploring the potential of the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda as sports medicine.
Media reports have indicated that the Kerala Government is exploring the potential of the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda as sports medicine.
They showed that regular participation in soccer increases both bone mass and bone density, causes a significant improvement in standing postural balance and improves muscle strength.
Together, these effects reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures.
Enhanced Brain Activity Seen in Expert Sportsmen
A new study by scientists at Brunel University and at the University of Hong Kong has found that expert sportsmen are quicker to observe and react to their opponents' moves
A new study by scientists at Brunel University and at the University of Hong Kong has found that expert sportsmen are quicker to observe and react to their opponents' moves
"It is well known that the risk of falls and fractures increases with age as a result of weaker bones, poorer balance and attenuated ability to trigger rapid muscle force, but the present results suggest that soccer - and possibly other ball games - is an effective training method to reduce bone weakening that comes with increasing age," he added.
Advertisement
Cycling a Virtual Tour De France on the Bike of the Future
Tiny beads of sweat break out on Konstantin Domorazki's brow as he races his bike through Beijing's Forbidden City pursued by a tenacious opponent he just can't shake off his tail.
Tiny beads of sweat break out on Konstantin Domorazki's brow as he races his bike through Beijing's Forbidden City pursued by a tenacious opponent he just can't shake off his tail.
In addition, soccer training showed an elevated mass of the calf muscle, greater muscle strength, and an improved balance.
Advertisement
Fans' Heart Risk Increases During Big Sports Games
There is an increase in the number of heart attacks during big games, experts have said.
There is an increase in the number of heart attacks during big games, experts have said.
The women who participated in the study had never played soccer before, implying that all can benefit from soccer.
Interestingly the short- and long-term training effects on bone mineral density were greater for the soccer players than for a similar group of runners and an inactive control group.
Small-sided soccer games for 1 hour two to three times a week during 12 weeks for untrained men aged 20-40 years resulted in significant increases in muscle mass and leg bone mass, whereas no effects occurred for the inactive control group. The postural balance was improved as well.
In a follow-up study on long-term effects of soccer for men, it was demonstrated that 64 weeks of training have an additional effect on both muscle mass and leg bone mineral density.
"The research shows that 70-year-old men, who have played soccer most of their lives on a recreational basis, have just as good a balance and rapid muscle strength as untrained 30-year-olds and much better balance and muscle strength than their peers" said Krustrup.
As an example, the untrained older men had more than twice as many falls in a one-leg balance test, compared to the soccer-trained older men and untrained young men.
Five scientific articles on the findings are now being published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
Source-ANI
