Effect of floorball training on blood lipids, body composition, muscle strength, and functional capacity of elderly men

Abstract

Floorball training consists of intense repeated exercise and may offer a motivating and social stimulating team activity in elderly individuals. However, the effect of floorball training in elderly adults on physiological adaptations important for health is not known. Thus, this study examined the effect of floorball training on blood lipids, muscle strength, body composition, and functional capacity of men aged 65-76 years. Thirty-nine recreational active men were randomized into a floorball group (FG; n = 22) or petanque group (PG; n = 17), in which training was performed 1 h twice a week for 12 weeks. In FG and PG, average heart rate (HR) during training was 80% and 57%, respectively, of maximal HR. In FG, plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides were 11% and 8% lower (P < 0.05), respectively. Insulin resistance determined by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) was reduced (P < 0.05) by 18%. HR during submaximal cycling was 5% lower (P < 0.05), and maximal voluntary contraction force was 8% higher (P < 0.05). Total and visceral fat content was lowered (P < 0.05) by 5% and 14%, respectively, HR at rest was 8% lower (P < 0.05) and performance in four different functional capacity tests were better (P < 0.05) after compared to before the training period. No changes were observed in PG. In conclusion, 12 weeks of floorball training resulted in a number of favorable effects important for health and functional capacity, suggesting that floorball training can be used as a health-promoting activity in elderly men.

Effect of team sports and resistance training on physical function, quality of life, and motivation in older adults

“…This is the first study to show that team sports in a group of very old adults (≈80 years) are feasible. Previously, small‐sided football and floorball training have also shown to be feasible and health‐promoting activities in healthy recreational active men aged 65‐75 years . However, compared with the latter two studies, participants in the present study were ≈11 years older (80 vs 69 years) and had a lower physical function (performance in 30‐second chair stand ≈13 vs 18 repetitions).…”

“…A number of studies have shown that football training organized as small‐sided games has positive effects on physiological variables important for health of young and older adults . In addition, small‐sided floorball training has shown to efficiently improve muscle strength and physical function in recreational active men aged 65‐75 years . Favorable social and psychological effects have also been demonstrated with team sport training organized as small‐sided games .…”

“…14 In addition, small-sided floorball training has shown to efficiently improve muscle strength and physical function in recreational active men aged 65-75 years. 15 Favorable social and psychological effects have also been demonstrated with team sport training organized as small-sided games. 16 Thus, participation in team sports may have positive benefits on psychological health and quality of life, beyond the effects of participation in physical activity.…”

The biological and psychosocial aspects of successful aging in high functional elders: A longitudinal study

“…After a median 9.6 years follow‐up, the patients in the intensive lifestyle intervention had an 8.6% lower body weight, reduced glycated hemoglobin and improved their fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors, except for low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels. Thus, in agreement with the findings by Dela et al, a much stricter intervention in terms of nutritional control and exercise is required to reduce LDL cholesterol. That this is achievable has been shown by the Calerie studies .…”

Structure of a year cycle of athletes training in aerobics (woman) with various psychophysiological and functional features

“…Other researches show necessity of ensuring level of athletes' health: determination of correlation features of subjective and physiological parameters on reaction to load [18][19][20]; due to use of modern techniques of a cardio-strength training [21,22]; application of tests for evaluation of functionality [23][24][25]; application of biochemical tests for determination of health level [26][27][28]; increase in indicators of life quality [29][30][31].…”