The effect of 5 years of team sport on elderly males' health and social capital - An interdisciplinary follow-up study

Mogens Theisen Pedersen*, Line Boel Nørregaard, Tanja Dragsdal Jensen, Amalie S Frederiksen, Laila Ottesen, Jens Bangsbo

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

4 Citationer (Scopus)
78 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background and Aims: Floorball training induces positive effects on health among untrained older adults. However, the effect of long-term participation (>2 years) in floorball training among elderly males has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 5 years of floorball training on risk factors for lifestyle diseases, fitness, physical function, and social capital of elderly males and compare to a control group that continued their usual lifestyle.

Methods: Twenty-nine recreationally active elderly men aged 75.1 ± 3.3 (mean ± SD; range: 69-81) years with a height, body mass, and body mass index of 1.78 ± 0.06 m, 79.8 ± 10.9 kg, and 25.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively, volunteered to take part in follow-up investigations about 5 years after participating in a study on the effect of 12 weeks of floorball or petanque training. At the end of the parental study 15 subjects chose to participate in floorball training (floorball group [FG]) whereas 14 subjects (control group [CG]), resumed their usual lifestyle. FG participated in small-sided floorball training 1 h ~1.75 times/week for 5 years in a local sports club.

Results: From baseline to 5 years, FG had reduced fat percentage, android, and visceral fat, increased total and leg bone mineral density, leg extension maximal voluntary contraction, maximal walk distance in 6 min and 30 s sit-to-stand repetitions, decreased time for 5 sit-to-stand repetitions and Timed Up and Go (p < 0.05). These changes were all different from less favorable changes in CG (p < 0.05). In FG there was a decline in maximum oxygen uptake which was smaller than the decline in CG (p < 0.05). In addition, FG had developed social capital through the 5 years strengthening their social connectedness and group cohesion.

Conclusion: In conclusion, both from a sociological and physiological perspective, small-sided floorball training can be considered a health-promoting activity for older men.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummere760
TidsskriftHealth Science Reports
Vol/bind5
Udgave nummer5
Antal sider15
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2022

Bibliografisk note

CURIS 2022 NEXS 200

© 2022 The Authors. Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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  • Det Natur- og Biovidenskabelige Fakultet

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