Alper Aslan1, Yasar Salci1, Alpay Guvenc2
1Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Coaching Education, Hatay, Turkey
2Antalya Akdeniz University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Coaching Education, Antalya, Turkey
The Effects of Weekly Recreational Soccer Intervention on the Physical Fitness Level of Sedentary Young Men
Monten. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2019, 8(1), 51-59 | DOI: 10.26773/mjssm.190308
Abstract
Recreational soccer (RS) has a great potential to improve the physical fitness levels of diverse populations when performed two to three times per week. However, to date, only Beato and collaborators have examined the effects of once-a-week RS on physical fitness, even though this frequency is widespread among participants. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of weekly performed RS intervention on components of physical fitness in sedentary young men. Twenty-healthy men aged 20-27 years were randomly assigned to a soccer (n=10) group or a control (n=10) group. Participants in the soccer group played a 60-min. small-sided soccer game once-a-week for eight weeks. Before and after the intervention period, body composition, aerobic fitness, blood pressure, anaerobic performance and isokinetic leg strength were assessed. After eight weeks of the once-a-week intervention period, in the soccer group, body fat and thickness of skinfolds were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Peak oxygen uptake, running distance, squat and countermovement jump (p<0.01), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstring strength were also improved only in the soccer group (p<0.05). In contrast, other variables, including body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), heart rate responses, blood pressure, and anaerobic performance remained the same as before the intervention period (p>0.05). Participating in weekly RS programme can lead to some health and performance benefits. However, the people who wish to further improve their health status and performance level should increase the frequency of RS activity.
Keywords
health, body composition, aerobic endurance, strength, heart rate
View full article
(PDF – 283KB)
References
Aagaard, P., Simonsen, E. B., Magnusson, S. P., Larsson, B., & Dyhre-Poulsen, P. (1998). A new concept for isokinetic hamstring: quadriceps muscle strength ratio. The American journal of Sports Medicine, 26(2), 231-237. https://doi.org/org/10.1177/03635465980260021201
Andersen, L. J., Randers, M. B., Westh, K., Martone, D., Hansen, P. R., Junge, A., ... & Krustrup, P. (2010). Football as a treatment for hypertension in untrained 30–55‐year‐old men: a prospective randomized study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 98-102. https://doi.org/org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01109.x
Aslan, A. (2013). Cardiovascular responses, perceived exertion and technical actions during small-sided recreational soccer: Effects of pitch size and number of players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 38, 95-105. https://doi.org/org/10.2478/hukin-2013-0049
Beato, M., Impellizzeri, F. M., Coratella, G., & Schena, F. (2016). Quantification of energy expenditure of recreational football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(24), 2185-2188. https://doi.org/org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1167280
Beato, M., Coratella, G., Schena, F., & Impellizzeri, F. M. (2017). Effects of recreational football performed once a week (1 h per 12 weeks) on cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged sedentary men. Science and Medicine in Football, 1(2), 171-177. https://doi.org/org/10.1080/24733938.2017.1325966
Biodex Multi-Joint System Pro (2017). Setup/Operation Manual. Retrieved 07/02, 2017, from: http://www.biodex.com
Coombs, R., & Garbutt, G. (2002). Developments in the use of the hamstring/quadriceps ratio for the assessment of muscle balance. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 1(3), 56-62.
Cornelissen, V. A., & Fagard, R. H. (2005). Effects of endurance training on blood pressure, blood pressure–regulating mechanisms, and cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension, 46(4), 667-675. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000184225.05629.51
Dellal, A., Owen, A., Wong, D. P., Krustrup, P., van Exsel, M., & Mallo, J. (2012). Technical and physical demands of small vs. large sided games in relation to playing position in elite soccer. Human Movement Science, 31(4), 957-969. https://doi.org/org/10.1016/j.humov.2011.08.013
Elliott, K. J., Sale, C., & Cable, N. T. (2002). Effects of resistance training and detraining on muscle strength and blood lipid profiles in postmenopausal women. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(5), 340-344. https://doi.org/org/10.1136/bjsm.36.5.340
Faulkner, J. A. (1968). Physiology of swimming and diving. In F. H. (Ed.), Exercise physiology. Baltimore: Academic Press.
Frıed, T., & Lloyd, G. J. (1992). An overview of common soccer injuries, management and prevention. Sports Medicine, 14, 269-275. https://doi.org/org/10.2165/00007256-199214040-00005
Gibala, M. J., Little, J. P., MacDonald, M. J., & Hawley, J. A. (2012). Physiological adaptations to low‐volume, high‐intensity interval training in health and disease. The Journal of Physiology, 590(5), 1077-1084. https://doi.org/org/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.224725
Hammami, A., Chamari, K., Slimani, M., Shephard, R. J., Yousfi, N., Tabka, Z., & Bouhlel, E. (2016). Effects of recreational soccer on physical fitness and health indices in sedentary healthy and unhealthy subjects. Biology of Sport, 33(2), 127-137. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1198209
Hiruntrakul, A., Nanagara, R., Emasithi, A., & Borer, K. T. (2011). Effect of once a week endurance exercise on fitness status in sedentary subjects. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 93(9), 1070-1074.
Inbar, O., Bar-Or, O., Skinner, J. S. (1996). The Wingate Anaerobic Test. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL.
Karvonen, M. J. (1957). The effects of training on heart rate: a longitudinal study. Ann Med Exp Biol Fenn, 35, 307-315.
Kellis, E., & Baltzopoulos, V. (1998). Muscle activation differences between eccentric and concentric isokinetic exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(11), 1616-1623. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199811000-00010
Krustrup, P., Nielsen, J. J., Krustrup, B., Christensen, J. F., Pedersen, H., Randers, M. B., ...& Bangsbo, J. (2009). Recreational soccer is an effective health promoting activity for untrained men. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43, 825-831. https://doi.org/org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.053124
Krustrup, P., Christensen, J. F., Randers, M. B., Pedersen, H., Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M. D., ... & Bangsbo, J. (2010a). Muscle adaptations and performance enhancements of soccer training for untrained men. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 108(6), 1247-1258. https://doi.org/org/10.1007/s00421-009-1319-8
Krustrup, P., Hansen, P. R., Andersen, L. J., Jakobsen, M. D., Sundstrup, E., Randers, M. B., ... & Junge, A. (2010b). Long‐term musculoskeletal and cardiac health effects of recreational football and running for premenopausal women. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 58-71. https://doi.org/org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01111.x
Krustrup, P., Hansen, P. R., Nielsen, C. M., Larsen, M. N., Randers, M. B., Manniche, V., ... & Bangsbo, J. (2014). Structural and functional cardiac adaptations to a 10‐week school‐based football intervention for 9–10‐year‐old children. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 24, 4-9. https://doi.org/org/10.1111/sms.12277
Leger, L. A., Mercier, D., Gadoury, C., & Lambert, J. (1988). The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences, 6(2), 93-101. https://doi.org/org/10.1080/02640418808729800
Lohman, T. G., & Roche, A. F. (1988). Anthropometric standardization reference manual (Vol. 177, pp. 3-8). R. Martorell (Ed.). Champaign: Human kinetics books.
Matsuzaka, A., Takahashi, Y., Yamazoe, M., Kumakura, N., Ikeda, A., Wilk, B., & Bar-Or, O. (2004). Validity of the multistage 20-m shuttle-run test for Japanese children, adolescents, and adults. Pediatric Exercise Science, 16(2), 113-125. https://doi.org/org/10.1123/pes.16.2.113
Milanovic, Z., Pantelic, S., Covic, N., Sporis, G., Krustrup, P. (2015a). Is recreational soccer effective for improving VO2max? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 45(9), 1339-1353. https://doi.org/org/10.1007/s40279-015-0361-4
Milanović, Z., Pantelić, S., Kostić, R., Trajković, N., & Sporiš, G. (2015b). Soccer vs. running training effects in young adult men: which programme is more effective in improvement of body composition? Randomized controlled trial. Biology of Sport, 32(4), 301-305. https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1163693
Milanović, Z., Pantelić, S., Sporiš, G., Mohr, M., & Krustrup, P. (2015c). Health-related physical fitness in healthy untrained men: effects on VO2max, jump performance and flexibility of soccer and moderate-intensity continuous running. PloS one, 10(8), e0135319. https://doi.org/org/10.1371/journal.pone.0135319
Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., & Weston, M. (2015d). Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIT) and continuous endurance training for VO 2max improvements: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Sports Medicine, 45(10), 1469-1481. https://doi.org/org/10.1007/s40279-015-0365-0
Milanović, Z., Pantelić, S., Čović, N., Sporiš, G., Mohr, M., & Krustrup, P. (2018). Broad-spectrum physical fitness benefits of recreational football: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43,825-831. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097885
Randers, M. B., Nielsen, J. J., Krustrup, B. R., Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M. D., Nybo, L., ... & Krustrup, P. (2010a). Positive performance and health effects of a football training program over 12 weeks can be maintained over a 1‐year period with reduced training frequency. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 80-89. https://doi.org/org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01091.x
Randers, M. B., Nybo, L., Petersen, J., Nielsen, J. J., Christiansen, L., Bendiksen, M., ... & Krustrup, P. (2010b). Activity profile and physiological response to football training for untrained males and females, elderly and youngsters: influence of the number of players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 14-23. https://doi.org/org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01069.x
Randers, M. B., Petersen, J., Andersen, L. J., Krustrup, B. R., Hornstrup, T., Nielsen, J. J., ... & Krustrup, P. (2012). Short-term street soccer improves fitness and cardiovascular health status of homeless men. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(6), 2097-2106. https://doi.org/org/10.1007/s00421-011-2171-1
Winett, R. A., & Carpinelli, R. N. (2000). Examining the validity of exercise guidelines for the prevention of morbidity and all-cause mortality. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 22(3), 237-245. https://doi.org/org/10.1007/BF02895119