Soccer Improves Balance And Bone Density

Several new research papers are being published about various health benefits from regularly playing soccer. Some may find it a surprise that the studies do not focus on the more obvious benefits of such an athletic sport, such as greater muscle strength and improved cardiovascular health. Instead, the studies reveal that regular engagement in soccer bring improved bone density, bone health, better posture and improved balance. “During soccer training and games, the players perform many sprints, turns, kicks and tackles. This combination of actions help achieve a variable bone impact that appears to provide a better stimulus to bone mineralization than running,” said project leader Peter Krustrup. “The research shows that 70-year-old men, who have played soccer most of their lives on a recreational basis, have just as good a balance and rapid muscle strength as untrained 30-year-olds and much better balance and muscle strength than their peers” explained Peter Krustrup. More information will be published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports in a special edition issue entitled “Football for Health” containing 14 scientific articles.