Seniors’ football is becoming a hot topic in Germany due to the change in demographics. Lots of people in their later years, especially men, are having a kick-about due to the health benefits and of course the fun you can have. That’s even led to the introduction of the annual O40/O50 Cup, where the DFB searches for the best seniors’ football team in Germany.
Prof. Dr Tim Meyer, the chairman of the DFB Sports Medicine Commission, spoke to editor Steffen Lüdeke in a DFB.de interview on football for older age groups, the health benefits and the way in which the national side gives the ‘old boys’ advice on training and prevention.
DFB.de: Mr Meyer, you are chairman of the DFB Sports Medicine Commission, which deals with the health aspects of seniors’ football. Which results have you concluded? Should people over 40 years of age still play football from the medical side of things?
Prof. Dr. Tim Meyer: Yes. Football is a very good combination of endurance, power, movement and coordination. Most would recommend to play an endurance sport in their older years. Football is also an endurance sport, but in contrast to running, cycling or swimming, it has further important impacts, which can be achieved at the same time. That’s why the DFB’s ‘Amateur Football Master Plan’ aims to organise regular football games in the future, in order for these health benefits to be reaped to their full potential.
DFB.de: Do you live longer if you play football?
Meyer: There’s no scientific evidence that football helps to extend your life expectancy. But there are some indications that several factors that do extend your life expectancy can be improved via football. Cholesterol and blood pressure can both be reduced by playing the beautiful game. Those with a low blood pressure live longer, those with lower cholesterol live longer too. Those are good indications at least that seniors’ football can have a positive impact on your health. And being healthy is a necessary requirement for a higher life expectancy.
DFB.de: Would you then actually recommend older people to play football?
Meyer: I wouldn’t put it like that as there are of course exceptions. Heart conditions and circulatory problems are much more common at an older age compared to younger people. The risk of coronary calcification is higher amongst men older than 40 in particular. Those with these kinds of illnesses shouldn’t play football without consulting a doctor.
DFB.de: Seniors’ football is for those aged 30 or older. Is there an upper limit? Until what age would you recommend people play football until?
Meyer: Biological age is more important than the age on the piece of paper. It’s therefore hard to give a concrete limit. The ability to critically evaluate oneself is important. If a player recognises that he or she is finding it particularly strenuous, feel chest pains or struggle to catch their breath, then perhaps it’s time to call it a day. If there’s no sufficient treatment or the medical risk is too high, then they should stop playing football as a last resort. But for those with no previous illnesses, then playing football on a regular basis is a good way of staying healthy at an older age. Therefore I would publicly like to support the previously formulated aims of the ‘Amateur Master Football Plan’.
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Seniors’ football is becoming a hot topic in Germany due to the change in demographics. Lots of people in their later years, especially men, are having a kick-about due to the health benefits and of course the fun you can have. That’s even led to the introduction of the annual O40/O50 Cup, where the DFB searches for the best seniors’ football team in Germany.
Prof. Dr Tim Meyer, the chairman of the DFB Sports Medicine Commission, spoke to editor Steffen Lüdeke in a DFB.de interview on football for older age groups, the health benefits and the way in which the national side gives the ‘old boys’ advice on training and prevention.
DFB.de: Mr Meyer, you are chairman of the DFB Sports Medicine Commission, which deals with the health aspects of seniors’ football. Which results have you concluded? Should people over 40 years of age still play football from the medical side of things?
Prof. Dr. Tim Meyer: Yes. Football is a very good combination of endurance, power, movement and coordination. Most would recommend to play an endurance sport in their older years. Football is also an endurance sport, but in contrast to running, cycling or swimming, it has further important impacts, which can be achieved at the same time. That’s why the DFB’s ‘Amateur Football Master Plan’ aims to organise regular football games in the future, in order for these health benefits to be reaped to their full potential.
DFB.de: Do you live longer if you play football?
Meyer: There’s no scientific evidence that football helps to extend your life expectancy. But there are some indications that several factors that do extend your life expectancy can be improved via football. Cholesterol and blood pressure can both be reduced by playing the beautiful game. Those with a low blood pressure live longer, those with lower cholesterol live longer too. Those are good indications at least that seniors’ football can have a positive impact on your health. And being healthy is a necessary requirement for a higher life expectancy.
DFB.de: Would you then actually recommend older people to play football?
Meyer: I wouldn’t put it like that as there are of course exceptions. Heart conditions and circulatory problems are much more common at an older age compared to younger people. The risk of coronary calcification is higher amongst men older than 40 in particular. Those with these kinds of illnesses shouldn’t play football without consulting a doctor.
DFB.de: Seniors’ football is for those aged 30 or older. Is there an upper limit? Until what age would you recommend people play football until?
Meyer: Biological age is more important than the age on the piece of paper. It’s therefore hard to give a concrete limit. The ability to critically evaluate oneself is important. If a player recognises that he or she is finding it particularly strenuous, feel chest pains or struggle to catch their breath, then perhaps it’s time to call it a day. If there’s no sufficient treatment or the medical risk is too high, then they should stop playing football as a last resort. But for those with no previous illnesses, then playing football on a regular basis is a good way of staying healthy at an older age. Therefore I would publicly like to support the previously formulated aims of the ‘Amateur Master Football Plan’.
