Exercise intensity during walking football for men and women aged 60+ in comparison to traditional small-sided football – a pilot study

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to quantify the intensity, perceived exertion and enjoyment of participation in walking football (WF) for elderly men and women compared to traditional small-sided running football (RF) and walking (W). Methods: 32 men and women aged 60–83 from recreational football teams performed a 5-min W, followed by 10-min WF and RF games in a counterbalanced order, separated by an 8–10 min break. The men and women played 5v5 and 6v6, respectively, on small-sided football pitches (men: 40 × 16.5 m; women 40 × 30 m) with medium-sized goals (3 × 1.5 m). Heart rate (HR) and locomotor activities were monitored throughout sessions and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) scores were determined immediately after sessions. Results: During RF, mean HR was higher (P 0.05) compared to WF and W for both men aged 60+ (126 ± 23 vs 112 ± 19 and 98 ± 19 beats/min) and women aged 60+ (144 ± 24 vs 133 ± 30 and 112 ± 20 beats/min), and higher (P < 0.05) during WF than W. During RF, more distance (P < 0.05) was covered at >8 km/h compared to WF and W for both men aged 60+ (134 ± 73 vs 36 ± 27 and 6 ± 7 m) and women aged 60+ (119 ± 89 vs 39 ± 38 and 1 ± 1 m), with more distance (p < 0.05) during WF compared to W. Both men and women had higher PACES and RPE scores (P < 0.05) for RF compared to WF. Conclusion: WF for elderly men and women results in higher heart rates and more distance covered in more intense speed zones than W, but less than in traditional small-sided football. Future studies should elucidate the hypothesis that WF is more effective in relation to fitness and health benefits compared to W, but less effective compared to small-sided traditional football.