Football for lowering blood pressure is as effective as medication

As effective as tablets: women can lower their blood pressure with football
About every third adult German is suffering from hypertension. If hypertension is not treated, the risk of illnesses such as stroke or heart attack increases. One study showed that women can reduce their blood pressure by regular football training as well as with medication.

One of the biggest health risks in the world
According to the German Hypertension League (DHL), about 20 to 30 million people in Germany suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). Untreated high blood pressure is one of the biggest health risks in the Western world. He is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is responsible for many deaths from myocardial infarction or stroke. Although sufferers often quickly become hypertensive, but in many cases hypertension can be treated without medication. Among other things, through regular football training, as Danish researchers now report.

According to Danish scientists, women with special football training can lower their high blood pressure as well as with medications. (Image: WavebreakMediaMicro / fotolia.com)

Lower blood pressure through regular football training
It has been shown that the Danish concept of "Football Fitness" is as effective as tablets for high blood pressure. In addition, this training provides women with more physical fitness, helps to reduce weight and strengthens the bones.

This is reported by Professor Peter Krustrup from the University of Southern Denmark in Odense and his colleagues in a statement from the university.

The study, whose results were published in the journal Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, involved 31 untrained women (aged 35 to 50 years) from the High Blood Faroes Islands, 19 of whom were one year old two to three times a week for one hour completed a football training.

It was found that blood pressure in football players fell by nine millimeters of mercury (mmHg) in one year compared to a group of women without training. The body fat mass was reduced by an average of 3.1 kilograms. The bone mass increased by 70 grams and the fitness increased significantly.

Health and fun instead of competition
"Our results show that untrained women benefit from" Football Fitness "in many ways, in terms of blood pressure, body fat percentage, bone strength and physical fitness," said Professor Krustrup.

"This form of football can rightly be described as an effective broad-spectrum medicine for women with high blood pressure."

According to the expert, the results of the project show that football can be used both as an effective prevention and treatment for a range of diseases such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Years ago, Professor Krustrup developed the concept for "Football Fitness" in close cooperation with the Danish Football Association. The training is intended for all persons, regardless of age, gender, football experience or physical fitness.

It includes a thorough warm-up with strengthening, balance and ball exercises as well as subsequent games. The focus is on fun, community with others and health. There are no competition games. (Ad)