Positive effects of football on fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes

We evaluated the effects of recreational football training combined with calorie-restricted diet (football+diet) vs calorie-restricted diet alone (diet) on aerobic fitness, lipid profile, and insulin resistance indicators in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-four T2D patients aged 48-68 years (27 females, 17 males) were randomly allocated to the football+diet group (FDG; n=22) or to the diet group (DG; n=22), of whom 19 FDG and 15 DG subjects completed the study. The football training was performed for 3x40min/week for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, treadmill testing, and fasting blood samplings were performed pre and post-intervention. After 12 weeks, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was elevated (P<0.05) by 10 +/- 4% in FDG but not in DG (-3 +/- 4%, P<0.05). After 12 weeks, reductions in blood triglycerides (0.4 +/- 0.1mmol/L), total cholesterol (0.6 +/- 0.2mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels were observed only in FDG. Fat mass decreased (P<0.05) by 3.4 +/- 0.4kg in FDG and 3.7 +/- 0.4kg in DG. The lower (P<0.05) glucagon and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance indicated an improvement in insulin sensitivity in FDG. In conclusion, football combined with restricted diet was effective in enhancing VO2max, reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing insulin sensitivity, potentially providing better tools for the prevention of T2D complications than diet alone.