Functional and Psychosocial Benefits of Walking Football in Rural Older Adults

Background: This study investigated the impact of walking football on functional health and well-being outcomes in rural older adults and explored their participation experiences. Methods: This multi-methods study saw 13 older adults (7 males/6 females, 63.2±9.4 years) complete 1-hour of walking football per week for six weeks. Pre- and post-intervention, participants underwent assessments of body mass and height as well as assessments of functional fitness using the Senior Fitness Testing Battery. On completion of the walking football intervention, all participants joined in a semi-structured focus group interview to explore their health and psychosocial of participation. Results: Statistically significant increases, with small effect size, were observed in body mass and BMI (p<0.05). Furthermore, statistically significant improvements (p<0.05), with small-to-large effect sizes, were observed for several functional health outcomes. Thematic analysis focus group data identified three themes that captured the participants’ experiences, including: (1) “Opportunity to jump back in with what we can physically do”, (2) Social connection and feeling “part of something bigger”, and (3) “It’s how our brain is engaged”. Conclusions: Rural older adults experience physical, social, cognitive and psychological health and well-being improvements from participating in a walking football program.