Many people know that exercise is good for health.
But a new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that playing team sports can be especially helpful for people with high blood pressure or chronic illnesses like COPD.
In fact, this kind of group activity might even help them live longer.
In Denmark, about one in four adults has high blood pressure. This condition is dangerous because it raises the risk of heart disease, strokes, and early death.
People with other long-term health problems like COPD (chronic lung disease) or type 2 diabetes face even greater risks. Finding a fun, simple, and effective way to lower blood pressure could make a big difference for many people.
In the new study, researchers tested whether playing sports in a group could help people lower their blood pressure. The study included 28 people who had high blood pressure. Out of these, 16 also had type 2 diabetes and 12 had COPD.
Over 12 weeks, these participants joined a special training program held at a local health center in Brøndby, Denmark. Twice a week, they played team games like floorball and cone ball. These games were led by trained staff and designed to be fun and easy to follow.
After just three months, the results were impressive. The participants’ top blood pressure number, called systolic blood pressure, dropped by about 10 to 12 mmHg on average. This number shows how hard the heart works when it pumps blood.
Lowering it by even 10 points can reduce the risk of stroke by 30% and the risk of heart disease or early death by 20%, according to global health experts.
Besides the drop in blood pressure, the participants also became faster and more mobile when walking. However, their weight, muscle strength, and the lower blood pressure number (called diastolic) didn’t change much. Still, the improvement in systolic pressure alone is a big win.
One surprising part of the study was how much people enjoyed the training. Many said the games were fun and being with others kept them motivated. This made it easier for them to stick with the program. Some even continued playing sports at local evening schools after the study ended.
The team behind the research believes that the fun and social side of team sports plays a big role in its success. People are more likely to keep exercising when it feels like play instead of a chore. For people with chronic illnesses, staying active can be hard. Team sports may give them a better chance to keep moving and stay healthy.
The study also suggests that local health centers could include team sports as part of their services for people with high blood pressure and other chronic conditions. This could improve both physical health and quality of life.
The researchers now hope that more towns will add team sports to their health programs and help people continue these activities in regular sports clubs or evening classes after their treatment ends.
This study shows that with just a few weeks of team play, people with serious health issues can see real improvements. More importantly, it gives them a way to stay active, have fun, and connect with others—all while taking care of their health.
The study is published in Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology.
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