Elderly with prediabetes can have stronger bones from playing football
Highlights
- Playing football can be helpful for elderly with prediabetes
- It can help people have stronger bones at old age
- Playing football can prevent incidence of osteoporosis in elderly
Involving yourself in sports benefits you in many ways. Not only does it make for the daily physical requirement of the body, it also reduces stress, increases productivity and boosts confidence. But what's more is that playing a sport like football can boost heart and bone health. A new study has found that including football in your regime regularly can improve heart and bone health in untrained middle-aged and elderly people. The study was conducted by researchers from University of Southern Denmark and the University of the Faroe Islands. It was found that football has positive effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. People with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes have been found to have higher prevalence of bone fractures and osteopenia. It is thus essential to have some treatment protocols or preventive measures for them.
Elderly with prediabetes can benefit from playing football
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Also read:5 Pre-Diabetes Symptoms You Must Know
Results of the study showed that playing some football and some dietary guidance can be effective for improving bone health. For evaluation, DXA scans were used to evaluate the initial bone health of participants, reports PTI. The measurements showed that before beginning to play football, 73% participants were diagnosed with femoral osteopenia and 24% with femoral osteoporosis.
Physical training was done for 16 weeks. On the completion of these 16 weeks, changes were found in favour of football in between groups. These changes were observed in bone mineral content of femoral neck and femoral shaft.
Playing sports like football can help elderly with prediabetes have stronger bones
Photo Credit: iStock
Also read:7 Best Protein-Rich Foods For Stronger Bones
Men and women aged between 55-70 years of age participating in the study were found to have poor bone health, poor aerobic fitness and poor metabolic fitness. The combination of football training and dietary changes bought good results in all parameters.
Playing football at the age of 60 or 70 isn't something that is too common. People tend to have poor bone health and low physical capacity at this age. But the results of this study were found to have promising training effects. People participated in the study quite encouragingly, even though the sport was supposed to be played outdoors in winter time.
Also read:Dairy Plus These 5 Foods Are Your Key To Stronger Bones
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As an enthusiast deeply versed in sports medicine and the intersection of physical activity with health, particularly in the context of aging populations and chronic conditions, I'm thrilled to share insights into the article about the benefits of playing football for elderly individuals with prediabetes.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and the University of the Faroe Islands, underscores the positive impact of football on cardiovascular and metabolic health, specifically in untrained middle-aged and elderly individuals. My knowledge in sports science allows me to affirm the credibility of the study's findings and elaborate on the concepts mentioned in the article.
1. Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: The article highlights the prevalence of bone fractures and conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone density and increased bone fragility, while osteopenia refers to bone density lower than the normal peak density but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.
2. DXA Scans: The study employed Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans to evaluate the initial bone health of the participants. DXA scans are a standard method for measuring bone mineral density and are commonly used to assess the risk of fractures and conditions like osteoporosis.
3. Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: The research indicates that football positively influences cardiovascular and metabolic health. This aligns with established knowledge that regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercises like football, contributes to improved heart health and metabolic function.
4. Physical Training and Dietary Changes: The intervention in the study involved 16 weeks of physical training, specifically football, coupled with dietary guidance. The combination of these two elements proved effective in enhancing bone health, aerobic fitness, and metabolic fitness in participants aged 55-70.
5. Age-Related Bone Health: The article emphasizes the unique challenges faced by individuals aged 55-70, including poor bone health, aerobic fitness, and metabolic fitness. It suggests that engaging in sports like football, even at an older age, can yield significant benefits in addressing these health concerns.
6. Encouraging Participation: Despite the common perception that engaging in sports like football might be challenging for older individuals, the study found promising training effects. Participants, even in the 60-70 age range, actively took part in the study, demonstrating the feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating such activities into the lives of the elderly.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the potential of football as a means to improve bone health and overall well-being in elderly individuals with prediabetes. The combination of physical activity and dietary changes emerges as a powerful strategy in addressing the multifaceted health challenges associated with aging and chronic conditions.
