A recent study experiment on inactive men with high blood pressure shows that just three months of soccer practice twice a week can cause a significant fall in blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and percentage of body fat, and is even more effective than the doctor's usual advice on healthy diet and exercise.
Other parallel experiments on both women and men further demonstrates that a regular game of soccer affects numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as maximal oxygen uptake, heart function, cholesterol etc far more than strength training and just as much, if not more than running.
The research shows that soccer is a versatile and intense form of exercise that provides a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors in a large group of untrained adult men and women. The researchers opine that based on the results, soccer can be recommended as part of the treatment for high blood pressure and as broad-spectre prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
When untrained children, teens, adults and older people play soccer, their pulse rate remains high as they perform multiple intense actions like sprints, turns, kicks and tackles during the game. Also, it is very easy to obtain a combination of cardio and strength training with soccer. This can be good news for the millions of people worldwide, suffering from high blood pressure and in need of quick, easy solutions.
It is a well known fact that physical inactivity is a substantial risk factor in developing cardiovascular diseases and conditions leading to the same. But a pleasurable team sport like soccer is effective in treating high blood pressure is a welcoming new discovery. Furthermore, soccer or football may have other favourable effects on the vascular system, like a reduction of arterial stiffness, which has been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes.
This can prove as a breakthrough for those desiring to be fit whilst indulging in a fun-filled activity!
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