Football as the champion of cardiovascular prevention: results of the randomized and interventional MY-3F study (Fit & Fun with Football after myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease) - Summary - MDSpire
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Football as the champion of cardiovascular prevention: results of the randomized and interventional MY-3F study (Fit & Fun with Football after myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease)
To investigate the effects of a structured health-adapted football training program on fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and safety in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or post-myocardial infarction (MI).
Key Findings:
VO2peak significantly increased in the FG from 18.0 to 19.7 mL/min/kg (P < 0.001), while it decreased in the CG.
Blood pressure decreased in the FG from 132/81 to 125/76 mmHg (P < 0.001), with no significant change in the CG.
Weight decreased in the FG from 92.3 to 90.4 kg (P = 0.003), while it slightly increased in the CG.
Depressive symptoms improved significantly in the FG (P = 0.034), with no changes in the CG.
No significant change in LDL cholesterol in both groups, but more lipid-lowering therapy was administered in the CG (P = 0.049).
Running performance per participant per training improved from 1.8 km at admission to 2.4 km at the end of study (P < 0.001) in the FG.
Interpretation:
The MY-3F study demonstrates that health-oriented football training can effectively improve cardiovascular risk factors and fitness in patients with CAD or post-MI, proving to be safe, cost-effective, and a significant addition to existing prevention strategies.
Limitations:
The study was conducted in a specific geographic area (north-west Germany), which may limit generalizability.
The intervention frequency was once a week, which may not be sufficient for all patients.
Conclusion:
Health-oriented football training can serve as a valuable component in the rehabilitation and prevention of heart disease, promoting physical activity in patients with cardiovascular risks.
by Bastian Schrader, Armin Weers, Burkhard Garmann, Stephan Lüders, Matteo Scorcelletti, Bernhard Vaske, Paul Meyer, Eugen Gehlenborg, Sandra Garstecki, Joachim Schrader, Albrecht Elsässer
