«Our previous studies have shown that 16 weeks of
soccer training reduces blood pressure in 20 45 - year - old women with normal blood pressure, but this is the first study that has looked at the effects of recreational soccer in women with high blood pressure,» says Professor Peter Krustrup, who has been studying the health effects of recreational soccer and many other forms of physical activity for the past 10 years.
Although each of the teams using the PEP exercise program had a dedicated athletic
training staff, the success reported in the earlier study in
reducing ACL injuries among 14 - to 18 - year - old competitive female club
soccer players - who ordinarily do not benefit from direct oversight from certified athletic trainers (ATCs) or physical therapists - suggest that the program may benefit other age groups and levels of play where direct oversight by medical professionals is far less common.