Street Football two to three times a week improves homeless health profile significantly and reduces the risk of premature death. It shows a study, researchers from Copenhagen University and Exeter University in England have conducted over the past two years in collaboration with Ombold who organize street football for homeless people in Denmark.

Homeless people have poorer health than the general population and have an increased risk of premature death. The increased risk of premature death is partly to do with a bad physical shape and the fact that smoking, alcohol and drug abuse is common among homeless people. In the study, 55 homeless and socially disadvantaged men from the Copenhagen area included in either a control group or a group that played 4 on 4 street soccer two to three times a week for 12 weeks. - Street Football for the homeless is a good form of exercise with plenty of activity change and melee attacks and periods of very high pulse. Just periods of high heart rate the homeless have not much of daily life. The study shows that despite a reasonable level of activity with over 10,000 daily steps, the homeless pulse averaged only high for three minutes a day, says lecturer Morten B. Randers from the University of Copenhagen who has headed the study.

improved health profile

After the training period had football group increased their muscle mass and aerobic fitness (fitness), while their LDL-cholesterol and fat mass was significantly reduced. In addition, the blood pressure was lowered by the participants in the soccer group had a high output level. Street football for homeless people is an intense activity with many changes of direction and periods of high heart rate. The participants' fitness rating was an average increase of 11 per cent (4 ml. Oxygen per minute per kg. Of body weight). Past scientific studies show that such an increase is associated with a significant decrease in the risk of premature death. The fat percentage was reduced by 11 percent, while LDL-cholesterol had dropped by 6 percent. - In the project, we saw a high turnout, which otherwise typically is a challenge in working with this audience. This bodes very positive for the possibility of keeping homeless people in physical activity, says Morten B. Randers. Professor Peter Krustrup, partner from Exeter University, has studied homeless football since 2003 and is impressed with the results: - The study confirms that football is a versatile and effective form of exercise which appeals to all walks of life. And it can be played anywhere. Professor at the Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen Merete Nordentoft concludes: - There is a great potential to improve many people's quality of life if the municipalities are supporting the street football for homeless people. Study Short-term Street Soccer Improves Fitness and Cardiovascular Health of Homeless But is published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

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Teaching Assistant Professor Morten B. Randers Institute of Sports Mobile: 61 71 71 67 Source: KU