World’s oldest walking football club in Chesterfield helps with research to improve health of older men
“The findings of the health survey I’m sure can be used to support the development of activity-based strategies for post-60’s people across the globe.”
Recent health research carried out by a university researcher on behalf of the International Urban Symposium, in combination with the Senior Spireites Walking Football Club based in Chesterfield, has shown that participating in the sport significantly improves participant’s physical and mental health.
One of the main findings of the on-line questionnaire was that nearly all of the respondents had a positive sense of belonging to a group, which is particularly important for men as they get older.
“My social interaction and circle of friendship has widened considerably since joining the Club” said one respondent.
The research was carried out by Dr Gary Armstrong, a well-known author on matters of football and global sporting cultures. Originating from Sheffield and a Senior Spireites
player for some three years, his footballing efforts coincided with his current research interests that sought to document ways in which people are having fulfilling lives in their third age.
Commenting on his work Dr Armstrong said “The findings of the health survey I’m sure can be used to support the development of activity-based strategies for post-60’s people across the globe.”
The key findings of the survey in which over 70% of the Club’s members participated, are that 96% had a positive sense of belonging to a group, 88% felt that playing the sport improved their physical fitness and activity levels and 86% felt that their social interactions had increased. When scoring their level of confidence in maintaining a healthy lifestyle the result was an average score of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Malc Perks, the Chair of the Senior Spireites, said “If it were possible to combine all scores under a single conclusion regarding the overall benefit of participating in walking football, it’s a resounding positive. We hoped that the players were benefitting from playing the sport but to see the results of the survey in black and white is very heartening.”
The Senior Spireites is the oldest walking football club in the world. The sport was created in 2010 as an initiative from the CEO of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, John Croot, now CEO of Chesterfield FC, and in conjunction with the Club’s Community Trust.
The Senior Spireites have over 100 regular players, several of which are over 80 years old and have five playing sessions a week in the Chesterfield and south Sheffield area.