Effects of recreational football on body composition and blood pressure in sedentary older men: a feasibility study

Introduction or background Hypertension is a critical health risks that significantly affect the quality of life in older adults. Physical activity programs tailored to the needs of specific populations have proven effective in mitigating these risks. Sources of data The study employed a single-group pretest–posttest design to evaluate the effects of recreational football interventions on body composition and blood pressure (BP). The independent variable was time (pretest, midtest, and posttest), and the dependent variables were body composition and BP. Nineteen male participants (mean ± SD age: 65.9 ± 2.85 years) were included in the study and participated in a 24-week recreational soccer (RS) program consisting of 1-hour sessions twice a week. Body composition parameters [body mass, fat mass, and body mass index (BMI)] were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while BP was measured using a semi-automated monitor following guidelines. Statistical analyses, including the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction, revealed significant improvements in body mass (χ²(2)=22.73,P≤ .001), fat mass (χ²(2)=22.88,P≤ .001), and BMI (χ²(2)=22.73,P≤ .001). Additionally, reductions in systolic BP (χ²(2)=9.08,P≤ .011), diastolic BP (χ²(2)=15.62,P≤ .001), and mean BP (χ²(2)=16.33,P≤ .001) were observed. Areas of agreement The results support previous findings that aerobic and group-based physical activity can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health in older adults. Areas of controversy The single-group design and small sample size limit the ability to generalize findings. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to establish causality. Growing points This study provides new evidence on the use of RS as a feasible, enjoyable, and effective intervention to improve body composition and BP in older adults. Areas timely for developing research Future studies should focus on the long-term effects of RS, its impact on bone mineral density, and its comparative efficacy versus other exercise modalities for aging populations.