Effects of Recreational Small-Sided Soccer Games on Bone Mineral Density in Untrained Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of small-sided games (SSG)-based training programs on bone mineral density (BMD) in untrained adults. The data sources utilized were Cochrane, Embase, Medline (PubMed), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The study eligibility criteria were: (i) untrained adults (>18 years old) of any sex, with or without a noncommunicable disease; (ii) SSG-based programs with a minimum duration of four weeks and no restrictions regarding frequency (number of sessions per week); (iii) passive or active control groups; (iv) pre-post values of BMD; (v) only randomized controlled trials; and (vi) only original and full-text studies written in English. The database search initially yielded 374 titles. From those, nine articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The age of included population varied from a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 71 years old. Non-significant differences between SSG and passive and active control groups on total BMD (ES = 0.14; p = 0.405 and ES = 0.28; p = 0.05, respectively). Meanwhile, significant differences in favor of SSGs vs. passive and control groups were detected, evidencing an improvement of BMD in lower limbs of the adult population for both sexes (ES = 0.26; p = 0.05 and ES = 0.28; p = 0.156, respectively). As conclusions, SSGs can be used as a non-pharmacological alternative to increase the BMD in the lower limbs despite having no significant impact on total body BMD. Careful generalization should be done of the level of heterogeneity.

Effects of Exercise Training on Bone Health Parameters in Individuals With Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The findings of the present study are supportive of two recent meta-analyses (Ashe et al, 2021 ; Clemente et al, 2021 ). Ashe and colleagues (Ashe et al, 2021 ) suggested that physical activity has little effect on the total hip BMD, and little to no effect on femoral neck BMD, lumbar spine BMD, and WB BMD in males.…”

“…Ashe and colleagues (Ashe et al, 2021 ) suggested that physical activity has little effect on the total hip BMD, and little to no effect on femoral neck BMD, lumbar spine BMD, and WB BMD in males. The other meta-analysis assessed the effects of small-sided games-based training programs on BMD in untrained adults (Clemente et al, 2021 ) and reported a trivial effect and small effect for this type of training on the WB BMD and lower limbs BMD, respectively when compared to the control groups. The modest osteogenic expression found in the WB BMD, compared to other bone sites, could reflect a site-specific effect for physical exercise.…”

Recreational Soccer Training Effects on Pediatric Populations Physical Fitness and Health: A Systematic Review

“…The diversity of systematic reviews in recreational soccer is clear from the extant literature [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. As can be seen from the available systematic reviews, some have focused on specific outcomes, such as bone health [ 26 , 27 ], fat mass [ 22 ], or maximal oxygen uptake [ 20 ], while others summarized the effects on different outcomes [ 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…The diversity of systematic reviews in recreational soccer is clear from the extant literature [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. As can be seen from the available systematic reviews, some have focused on specific outcomes, such as bone health [ 26 , 27 ], fat mass [ 22 ], or maximal oxygen uptake [ 20 ], while others summarized the effects on different outcomes [ 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Additionally, half of these systematic reviews were exclusively dedicated to adult populations [ 21 , 22 , 26 , 27 ], while the remaining reviews focused on mixed populations, such as children, adolescents, adults, and older individuals (both healthy and unhealthy), thus making it difficult to determine a clear overview of the effects on children and youths [ 20 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Influence of the Area per Player in Non-Professional Soccer Players: A Pilot Study Focused on Positional Roles

“…Small-sided games (SSGs) are a form of conditioning in football [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] and represent an effective alternative to traditional interval training in order to improve players’ endurance with a concomitant physical, cognitive and technical/tactical development [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. SSGs are now very popular because they are suitable not only for elite football players, but also for healthy and unhealthy amateurs; they enhance several components of the health-related fitness: in fact, recreational football, carried out as SSGs, has a high aerobic component (80–85% maximum heart rate, HRmax), provides a high impact on muscles and bones, and improves maximum aerobic power blood pressure and body composition [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”