Walking football for people with chronic breathlessness: A mixed-methods proof of concept study
6 affiliations
- 1School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- 2NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbia (NENC), Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- 3School of Social Science Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
- 4School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- 5Breathe Easy Darlington, Darlington, UK
- 6School of Communities and Education, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon Tyne, UK
Abstract
Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) provides substantial benefits, but these are rarely sustained. Walking football (WF), with its slower pace and widespread availability, may offer an exercise-maintenance option. This proof-of-concept study aimed to understand the potential of WF as an exercise-maintenance intervention following PR.
Methods: A mixed-methods, prospective observational design was used. Patients completing PR at two NHS trusts were invited to attend weekly 2-hour WF sessions for 6 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, adherence, and safety. An ethnographic approach observed participant experiences and engagement. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention, and the intensity of a single WF session was analysed.
Results: 160 individuals were approached; 36 expressed interest and 6 enrolled (5 male; mean age 71 years). Travel difficulties were the most common reason for declining. Five participants attended at least 4 sessions, and all continued WF after the study. One minor, unrelated adverse event occurred. Qualitative analysis of 18-hours of observations and 6 interviews generated 6 themes. The most notable finding highlighted the importance of WF sessions being exclusive to people with breathlessness. At least 3 participants achieved the minimal clinically important difference in functional exercise capacity, strength, health-related quality of life, and symptom burden. During a single session, group mean heart rate reached 66% of estimated HRmax, with a mean distance of 3.23 km covered.
Conclusions: WF appears to be a promising, engaging, and potentially sustainable exercise-maintenance option following PR, though travel barriers limited uptake. Future interventions should prioritise accessible locations and consider transport support.
Related
- Effect of Field Dimension on Energy Expenditure and Exercise Intensity During Walking Football in Older Adults.
- Estimating injury incidence and describing self-rated physical and mental health during 12 weeks of walking football for older (60+) men and women with low physical activity levels
- Comparison of lower extremity peak muscle forces and force-generating capacities during the functional side hop test in male collegiate football players with and without chronic ankle instability
- Walking for Chronic Pain: More Than an Exercise Prescription.
- Factors Associated with Functional Disability and Walking Capacity in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
BibTeX
@article{bradford2026walking,
title = {{Walking football for people with chronic breathlessness: A mixed-methods proof of concept study}},
author = {Callum Bradford and Kirsti J. Loughran and Benjamin Harrison and Grant McGeechan and Denis Martin and Sophie Suri and Noelle Robertson and Gaynor Williams and Tim Rapley and Samantha L. Harrison},
journal = {Chronic Respiratory Disease},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1177/14799731261489273},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731261489273},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Walking football for people with chronic breathlessness: A mixed-methods proof of concept study
AU - Callum Bradford
AU - Kirsti J. Loughran
AU - Benjamin Harrison
AU - Grant McGeechan
AU - Denis Martin
AU - Sophie Suri
AU - Noelle Robertson
AU - Gaynor Williams
AU - Tim Rapley
AU - Samantha L. Harrison
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
JO - Chronic Respiratory Disease
DO - 10.1177/14799731261489273
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731261489273
AB - Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) provides substantial benefits, but these are rarely sustained. Walking football (WF), with its slower pace and widespread availability, may offer an exercise-maintenance option. This proof-of-concept study aimed to understand the potential of WF as an exercise-maintenance intervention following PR. Methods: A mixed-methods, prospective observational design was used. Patients completing PR at two NHS trusts were invited to attend weekly 2-hour WF sessions for 6 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, adherence, and safety. An ethnographic approach observed participant experiences and engagement. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention, and the intensity of a single WF session was analysed. Results: 160 individuals were approached; 36 expressed interest and 6 enrolled (5 male; mean age 71 years). Travel difficulties were the most common reason for declining. Five participants attended at least 4 sessions, and all continued WF after the study. One minor, unrelated adverse event occurred. Qualitative analysis of 18-hours of observations and 6 interviews generated 6 themes. The most notable finding highlighted the importance of WF sessions being exclusive to people with breathlessness. At least 3 participants achieved the minimal clinically important difference in functional exercise capacity, strength, health-related quality of life, and symptom burden. During a single session, group mean heart rate reached 66% of estimated HRmax, with a mean distance of 3.23 km covered. Conclusions: WF appears to be a promising, engaging, and potentially sustainable exercise-maintenance option following PR, though travel barriers limited uptake. Future interventions should prioritise accessible locations and consider transport support.
SN - 1479-9723
SN - 1479-9731
ER -