Football as Broadspectrum Fitness Training

Football training with emphasis on fun, social interaction, fitness training and health was introduced to a number of Danish football clubs in 2011, under the name Football Fitness. This activity, which is based on a solid scientific foundation, is an effective form of exercise to improve physical fitness. This includes cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal fitness (1).
A number of scientific studies have shown that Football Fitness is a relevant, health-promoting supplement to elite and grassroots football (2,3). The Football Fitness concept has since undergone further development and adaptation for different population and patient groups (1,4-7) and with specific educational
programmes in Football for the Socially Deprived and Mentally Vulnerable, Football for the Heart and FC Prostate. Using Football Fitness as a case study, this chapter describes football training as physical exercise; including how football training can be adapted to different target groups and ensure an effective, fun and engaging workout that most people can participate in. While
adapting the training is important, several studies also show that team sports have plenty of potential to build social bonds and thus committed communities. This is crucial for adhering participants for long term training (8-11).