Accelerometer-measured physical activity: comparing young adult football players and non-athletic peers
Sasa Jovanovic, Cerasela Domokos, Željko Sekulić, Martin Domokos, Boštjan Šimunič

TL;DR
Football players are more physically active than non-athletes, even outside of practice, but both groups lack enough vigorous activity.
Contribution
Demonstrates that football participation increases physical activity beyond practice and highlights a need for more vigorous activity.
Findings
Football players had 2,064% higher vigorous physical activity than non-athletes.
Even without practice, football players remained more active and spent less time in light activity.
Both groups failed to meet international vigorous activity recommendations.
Abstract
While physical inactivity represents a global health concern, the relationship between structured sports participation and overall physical activity patterns remains unclear. This study examined whether football practice enhances adherence to physical activity guidelines and influences lifestyle activity patterns beyond structured practice sessions. Twenty-seven participants [football players (EG) n = 16, age 23.4 ± 2.7 years; non-athletes (CG) n = 11, age 24.1 ± 3.2 years] wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Physical activity parameters including overall physical activity (OPA), physical inactivity (PI), light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were assessed using validated cut-points. Data were analyzed using multivariate GLM procedures, with separate analyses…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPhysical Activity and Health · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
