Walking Football During Ramadan Fasting for Cardiometabolic and Psychological Health Benefits to the Physically Challenged and Aged Populations

The Influence of Including Goalkeepers on the Intensity Demands of Walking Football Practice

This preliminary study examined the effects of playing walking football with and without a goalkeeper (GK) on physiological, physical, technical, and perceptual variables in older men. Twenty participants (67 ± 4.7 years) engaged in two five vs. five walking football sessions, one WITH-GK and one WITHOUT-GK, using a randomized crossover design. The heart rate (HR), distance covered, technical actions, perceived exercise intensity, and enjoyment were measured. The results showed a significantly higher average HR (131 bpm vs. 123 bpm, p < 0.001), %HRmax (79% vs. 74%, p < 0.001), and time in higher HR zones (>80%HRmax, p < 0.05) in the WITH-GK condition. Participants also covered more total distance in the WITH-GK condition (1123 m vs. 1083 m, p < 0.001), particularly at speeds above 4 km/h (834 m vs. 781 m, p < 0.001). Conversely, more passes were made in the WITHOUT-GK condition (20 vs. 16 passes, p < 0.001), while the WITH-GK condition showed more shots (two vs. one, p < 0.001). The perceived exercise intensity was slightly higher in the WITHOUT-GK condition (five vs. four, p = 0.01), although the enjoyment levels were similar, with a slight preference for WITHOUT-GK. Overall, playing WITHOUT-GK provides a safer, lower-intensity alternative to WITH-GK, reducing the physical and perceived strain while maintaining enjoyment. This makes WITHOUT-GK particularly suitable for older adults or individuals with health conditions, promoting participation and rehabilitation with minimized risks.

Effects of Walking Football During Ramadan Fasting on Heart Rate Variability and Physical Fitness in Healthy Middle-Aged Males

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a walking football (WF) program during Ramadan fasting (RF) on heart rate variability (HRV) indices, body composition, and physical fitness in middle-aged males. Thirty-one healthy sedentary men were randomized to WF (n = 18) and control (n = 13) groups. Both groups participated in RF. The WF group were involved in a training program (small-sided games) of three sessions a week during RF. The time and frequency domains of HRV, body composition, handgrip, lumbar strength, Modified Agility Test (MAT), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were measured before Ramadan (BR), during Ramadan (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). We reported that RF has significantly altered some parameters of HRV DR; the mean HR decreased while the mean RR, LF, and HF increased. WF had a significant effect on HRV and mean HR DR compared with BR and AR decreased while mean RR, HF and LF increased. DR, body mass decreased in both groups, while body mass index (BMI) decreased and lean mass increased only in WF group. Lower body mass and BMI levels were reported AR only in WF group. Physical capacity improved AR, compared with BR, only in the WF group with longer distance in 6MWT, shorter time(s) in MAT, and higher lumbar strength levels. We conclude that RF increases parasympathetic system activity. WF practice during RF is safe and might improve body composition, physical fitness, autonomic cardiac function, and physical fitness in middle-aged males.