Scientific special issue on soccer and health

Soccer is a pleasureable team sport that provides an allround fitness and can be used as treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. - That is some of the conclusions in the 14 scientific articles that are being published in a special edition of the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. Led by Peter Krustrup and Jens Bangsbo from The Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences, over 50 researchers from seven countries has contributed to the special edition through their studies of physiological, psychological and social aspects of soccer on many target groups including 20-50 year old untrained men and women with diverse social backgrounds and experiences. The project has received funding from, among others, FIFA - Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), The Danish Ministry of Culture’s Sports Research Committee, TrygFonden, The Danish Football Association, The National Olympic Committee and Sports Federation of Denmark.

Research projects

• Soccer as treatment for lifestyle-related diseases

• Soccer reduces the risk of falls and bone fractures

• Fitness effects of soccer

• Soccer, running and health for women

Press release

2010-04-06 Scientists: Soccer improves health, fitness and social abilities
2010-03-02 Soccer reduces risk of falls and bone fractures
2010-02-02 Play yourself healthy
2009-10-02 Women's soccer - get fit while having fun!

Head of project: Peter Krustrup