Women's Soccer Instead of Running?

Filed in archive Exercise on October 8, 2009

© StuSeeger

Many women who want to inject sport and exercise into their routines start off with running. It's simple, you can gop on your own pace, and is very flexible, making ti suitable even for those with tight schedules.

However, that same flexibility make it easy to drop it. A recent study indicates that if you're really want to get fit, joining a team sport such as soccer may be a better idea. The study compared the benefits of running and playing recreational soccer in terms overall fitness and it seems that soccer is better in a number of ways.

"What is really interesting is that the soccer players differed from the runners in their motivation. The runners were motivated by the idea of getting in shape and improving health. But the soccer players focused on the game itself and were motivated by the social interaction and by having fun with others. As it turns out, the soccer players got in better shape than the runners, and that combined with the social benefits makes soccer a great alternative to running", says Associate Professor Laila Ottesen and continues:

"The women who played soccer have continued their soccer training as a group whereas few of the women in the running group continued running after the study. Actually, some of the women from the running group joined teams with the soccer group after the project finished."

Aside from getting women to stick to the exercise regimen, soccer also combines cardiovascular and strength training, contributing to build-up of muscles and bone strength which are vital to preserve health into old age.