Walking football offers a wide range of physical, mental, and social health benefits, making it an excellent activity for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Physical Health Benefits
- Cardiovascular Health: helps improve heart health, blood circulation, and endurance, which can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
- Strength and Balance: helps maintain and build muscle strength in the lower limbs, improve core stability, balance, and coordination, which are crucial for older adults in reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
- Weight Management: helps manage weight, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
- Joint and Bone Health: helps improve bone density and strength, which is beneficial for individuals with conditions like arthritis or those at risk of osteoporosis.
- Mobility and Flexibility: enhances overall mobility, flexibility, and reaction times, helping to offset the physical decline often associated with aging.
Mental Health Benefits
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction: releases endorphins, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improved Well-being: increased self-esteem, confidence, and a general sense of purpose and satisfaction.
- Cognitive Function: helps to keep the brain active and may enhance cognitive functions like memory and attention.
- Better Sleep Quality: is linked to improved sleep patterns and overall rest quality.
Social Benefits
- Combats Isolation: provides an excellent opportunity to meet new people, form lasting friendships, and expand social circles, significantly reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Sense of Belonging: fosters a strong sense of community and belonging, which can be life-changing for people who may have become isolated in their retirement.
- Fun and Enjoyment: is a fun and enjoyable way to exercise!
But don’t just take my word for it. These are testimonies from some of our club members;
Phil Austin
My experience of the benefits of walking football.
1. Fitness level increased dramatically
2. Weight loss of over 1 stone
3. Blood pressure dropped from being elevated to normal range
4. Cholesterol level down to under 5.0
5. Reduction in waist size.
6. Not forgetting the benefits to mental health getting out the house and meeting a great bunch of lads.
Once again guys, I am eternally grateful to you for allowing me to play with you, and you have been a top bunch of guys. Maximum respect to you all.
Julian Tsunami
David Hall
- I started playing about 10 years ago aged 58. Shortly after staring I had an MOT with my GP and it didn’t go well. I was told to be more active and loss weight. So I increased my sessions from once a week to twice a week and went out for a walk every day that I wasn’t playing.
- I lost two stone in weight and reversed all the negatives experienced with the GP. Unfortunately, shortly after this I suffered a heart attack. However, the surgeon said that if I was two stone heavier, I wouldn’t have made it.
- Inspired by the weight loss and the love of the beautiful game I continued with the twice weekly sessions. I have made some wonderful new friends and lots of acquaintances. The banter puts a some on my face and I look forward to playing.
- In 2021 I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. This as you can imagine was a big blow to me and my family. Portsmouth Walking Football club is a second family to me. Of course, my family where invaluable but walking football and the club members support were nearly as important and I got that support in spades. Post surgery and treatment, I gradually got back to football. I played for the first team on a very regular basis and was selected for the England Kicking Cancer team, winning two caps. I have played at Saint George’s Park, played in Portugal and Spain. Walking football has inspired me not to give in.
- So Don’t Give In Get Active !
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