Soccer behind improved health standards of growing boys

Long-term and regular participation of growing boys in soccer is responsible for notable improvements in the health profile, as per a new research published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

The study by ACSM found that there are sharp contrasts between regular and long-term benefits from extracurricular sports participation against physical education alone.

According to lead researcher Jose A. L. Calbet, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain, Soccer needs to be promoted as a cost-effective option among growing boys to ensure their sound and healthy growth.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Other studies have shown sports and activities, such as gymnastics, may enhance bone mass accumulation during growth,” said lead researcher Jose A. L. Calbet, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. “But these activities can require significant training time or specific facilities. Many children enjoy soccer and willingly participate in soccer outside of school if encouraged to do so. For this reason, soccer should be promoted as a low-cost, effective option to facilitate healthy growth.

The researchers point out that it is during the prepubertal growth spurt when bone tissue is more responsive to exercise. The study shows that the soccer group not only increased whole body bone mineral density, but also had higher regional measures in areas such as the lumbar spine (13 percent) and the femoral neck in the hip (10 percent). These increases correlated statistically to increases in other fitness factors such as anaerobic capacity and force generated during jumping.

"This kind of activity during this period in a child’s life can have the greatest impact on lifelong health factors such as the prevention of osteoporosis,” added German Vicente-Rodriguez, the study’s author. “It’s concerning that after this three-year study period, most of the children only engaged in the school physical education sessions. These restricted activities are insufficient and inadequate to achieve the full potential of bone development.”

The study revealed that young boys who play soccer not just gain from increased levels of whole body bone density but they also witness high regional measurements in areas such as femoral neck in the hip and lumbar spine.