Goalkeepers and Walking Football Intensity
Author Information
Author(s): Costa Júlio A., Coelho César André, Ferraz António, Brito João, Guilherme José, Seabra André, Travassos Bruno, Gonçalves Bruno
Primary Institution: Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation
Hypothesis
Including a goalkeeper in walking football increases the physical intensity and total distance covered while playing.
Conclusion
Playing without a goalkeeper provides a safer, lower-intensity alternative to playing with a goalkeeper, reducing physical strain while maintaining enjoyment.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants had a higher average heart rate in the WITH-GK condition compared to WITHOUT-GK.
- More total distance was covered in the WITH-GK condition.
- Participants made more passes in the WITHOUT-GK condition.
- Enjoyment levels were similar between conditions, with a slight preference for WITHOUT-GK.
Takeaway
This study shows that playing walking football with a goalkeeper makes the game more intense, while playing without one is easier and safer for older adults.
Methodology
Participants engaged in two walking football sessions, one with a goalkeeper and one without, using a randomized crossover design.
Limitations
The sample size was small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Twenty male participants aged 67 ± 4.7 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI [−0.63; −0.16]
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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