Positive effects of football on fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of recreational football training combined with calorie-restricted diet (football + diet) vs calorie-restricted diet alone (diet) on aerobic fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance indicators in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-four T2D patients aged 48-68 years (27 females, 17 males) were randomly allocated to the football + diet group (FDG; n = 22) or to the diet group (DG; n = 22), of whom 19 FDG and 15 DG subjects completed the study. The football training was performed for 3 × 40 min/week for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, treadmill testing, and fasting blood samplings were performed pre and postintervention. After 12 weeks, maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max) was elevated (P < 0.05) by 10 ± 4% in FDG but not in DG (−3 ± 4%, P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, reductions in blood triglycerides (0.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L), total cholesterol (0.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein, and very lowdensity lipoprotein levels were observed only in FDG. Fat mass decreased (P < 0.05) by 3.4 ± 0.4 kg in FDG and 3.7 ± 0.4 kg in DG. The lower (P < 0.05) glucagon and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance indicated an improvement in insulin sensitivity in FDG. In conclusion, football combined with restricted diet was effective in enhancing VO 2max, reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing insulin sensitivity, potentially providing better tools for the prevention of T2D complications than diet alone.

Exercise Training Prevents Age-induced Insulin Resistance in Rats: Effect on Circulating Catecholamines, Inflammatory Cytokines and Skeletal Muscle Glut4 Transporters

“…Swim exercise training for 6 weeks was seen to reverse insulin resistance induced by aging in rats. These findings are in line with recent studies reported that exercise could ameliorate insulin resistance [43,44,45,46] . To understand the mechanisms underlying the impact of exercise on age-induced insulin resistance, serum levels of catecholamines, pro-inflammatory cytokines and TAC together with Glut4 mRNA expression level in skeletal muscles were assessed.…”

Recreational football is medicine against non‐communicable diseases: A systematic review

“…In all reviewed studies (Table ), it was verified that RF has a positive effect against type 2 diabetes . All studies screened were with adults, and it was clear that football practice lowered cholesterol and triglycerides levels, increased insulin sensitivity, and positive impacted on glycemic control .…”

“…These changes in body composition can impact insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, as changes in visceral adipose tissue are positively related to changes in homeostatic model assessment of diabetes insulin resistance. Additionally, RF was associated (in middle‐age and older people) with decreased cholesterol and triglycerides levels, plasma glucose and IGFBP‐3 levels (contributing to higher insulin sensitivity), decreased ammoniagenesis, and increased lipolytic activity and IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 ratio, all indicative of attenuated catabolism . More recently, Skoradal et al also demonstrated that a program of 16 weeks of football training and dietary advice has positive effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health profiles, with greater overall effects than professional dietary advice per se for 55‐ to 70‐year‐old women and men with prediabetes.…”

“…Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide health problem, and the cost of treating this chronic disease and its related complications is high . Because of its increasing prevalence, due to both aging and increasing levels of obesity, the prevention and treatment of this disease are urgent.…”

‘FIFA 11 for Health’ for Europe. II: effect on health markers and physical fitness in Danish schoolchildren aged 10–12 years

“…40 In three previous football intervention studies with normal weight and overweight children aged 8-12 years playing small-sided football for 3×40 and 3×60 min/week for 10 and 12 weeks, respectively, marked positive effects were observed in heart function and physical fitness, whereas no changes were observed in BMI or fat percentage. 13 41 42 Since changes in fat percentage and blood pressure can be obtained by diet manipulations, physical activity interventions and other lifestyle changes and as additive effects can be achieved with combined interventions, 43 it may be speculated that there are additional effects of the 'FIFA 11 for Health' programme over and above the football activity itself. Thus, the on-pitch education on health knowledge related to food and fluid intake and importance of high-intensity physical training as well as everyday life physical activities such as walking and cycling could have influenced the children's behaviour during the 11-week intervention period.…”