!function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document);(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb';cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({"playerId":"8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb","mediaId":"c41e05a6-7ba0-42f1-8023-0f5ff30eab87"}).render("6a59e6a8e4b0f033db1b5b14");}); You probably already know that exercise can help with healthier ageing, and that hanging out with your friends has even been linked to greater longevity. But sometimes, the realities of adult life – be they injuries, sore joints, or just a busy schedule – can feel like a major hurdle to hitting those goals (no pun intended). Enter: walking football, a modified exercise researchers think could be a “promising candidate for inclusion in public health initiatives targeting healthy ageing”. What is walking football? Play is quite different from that of “normal” football. It’s a no-contact sport, there’s an above-head-height restriction on the ball, and you can’t do “headers”, among other rules. Games are usually six-a-side. And, of course, teams walk instead of running. This is all designed to make the sport as low-impact as possible for players. Speaking to Arthritis UK, 85-year-old walking footballer John, who has knee osteoarthritis, said: “The rules really limit injuries. “The chances of being injured are really quite low. There is no running or physical contact, and we play three-touch football which gives a more level playing field for players of varying abilities.” Though it’s often associated with over-50s, the Walking Football Association (WFA) points out that players of all ages can take part. It might be especially useful for “players in their late 40s with health issues, younger players returning from injury, or [who have] referrals from [their] Health Care Provider,” they explained. Why might walking football help with ageing? A narrative review of the benefits and risks of walking football, published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, said that the sport’s “slower pace and reduced physical contact make it accessible and safe for individuals with various chronic conditions”. Additionally, some research showed it led to “modest improvements” in players’ heart health and body composition. The game was also associated with a range of mental health benefits, including better social connections and a greater sense of purpose (both of which have been linked to better ageing and even a lower risk of dementia). Then, there’s the player-friendliness of the game to consider: “Walking football appeals to middle-aged and older adults, including those with chronic health conditions, due to its rule modifications that promote accessibility and inclusivity”. Walking football can help to beat loneliness among an “often-isolated” older group, and may carry the usual benefits of exercise and walking, including lower type 2 diabetes risk, decreased blood pressure, and stronger bones, the WFA added. Researchers think that more data is needed on how walking football might affect injury risk. But overall, the review reads, it “shows promise as a safe strategy to promote physical and mental health among diverse populations,” older people very much included. You can find your nearest walking football club through the WFA’s site. Related... The Morning Routine A Longevity Doctor Follows For Healthy Ageing 4 sleep habits for healthy ageing, and 1 that might need medical help Researchers Just Found A 'Rewind Button' For Muscle Ageing
You probably already know that exercise can help with healthier ageing, and that hanging out with your friends has even been linked to greater longevity. But sometimes, the realities of adult life – be they injuries, sore joints, or just a busy schedule – can feel like a major hurdle to hitting those goals (no pun intended). Enter: walking football, a modified exercise researchers think could be a “promising candidate for inclusion in public health initiatives targeting healthy ageing”. What is walking football? Play is quite different from that of “normal” football. It’s a no-contact sport, there’s an above-head-height restriction on the ball, and you can’t do “headers”, among other rules. Games are usually six-a-side. And, of course, teams walk instead of running. This is all designed to make the sport as low-impact as possible for players. Speaking to Arthritis UK, 85-year-old walking footballer John, who has knee osteoarthritis, said: “The rules really limit injuries. “The chances of being injured are really quite low. There is no running or physical contact, and we play three-touch football which gives a more level playing field for players of varying abilities.” Though it’s often associated with over-50s, the Walking Football Association (WFA) points out that players of all ages can take part. It might be especially useful for “players in their late 40s with health issues, younger players returning from injury, or [who have] referrals from [their] Health Care Provider,” they explained. Why might walking football help with ageing? A narrative review of the benefits and risks of walking football, published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, said that the sport’s “slower pace and reduced physical contact make it accessible and safe for individuals with various chronic conditions”. Additionally, some research showed it led to “modest improvements” in players’ heart health and body composition. The game was also associated with a range of mental health benefits, including better social connections and a greater sense of purpose (both of which have been linked to better ageing and even a lower risk of dementia). Then, there’s the player-friendliness of the game to consider: “Walking football appeals to middle-aged and older adults, including those with chronic health conditions, due to its rule modifications that promote accessibility and inclusivity”. Walking football can help to beat loneliness among an “often-isolated” older group, and may carry the usual benefits of exercise and walking, including lower type 2 diabetes risk, decreased blood pressure, and stronger bones, the WFA added. Researchers think that more data is needed on how walking football might affect injury risk. But overall, the review reads, it “shows promise as a safe strategy to promote physical and mental health among diverse populations,” older people very much included. You can find your nearest walking football club through the WFA’s site. Related... The Morning Routine A Longevity Doctor Follows For Healthy Ageing 4 sleep habits for healthy ageing, and 1 that might need medical help Researchers Just Found A 'Rewind Button' For Muscle Ageing
