Walking soccer study finds older players value fitness, fun and team bonds

Older adults who play walking soccer say the sport helps them stay fit, socially connected and excited about playing soccer again, according to research from Cardiff University. The findings matter because the modified game is aimed at people, especially men, aged 50 and older, and is promoted as a safer and more accessible route into physical activity.

Dr. Gareth Thomas of Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences conducted 65 anonymous interviews with older men and women who play the sport. The study was published in the International Review for the Sociology of Sport.

Walking soccer is a version of the running game with rules that differ by club or league, Cardiff University said. Two common requirements are that players must walk rather than run, and that excessive physical contact is barred.

Players describe a second chance at soccer

According to Cardiff University, interviewees said the game helped them remain physically active and maintain social ties as they aged. Many also described the pleasure of playing and the thrill of being able to kick a soccer ball again.

Spencer Pratten, 71, a former captain of the England Over 60s men's walking soccer team and now a player in the over-70s side, said the sport gave him a way to continue after veterans' matches became too demanding. Cardiff University said England won the inaugural World Nations Cup in 2023 and won again in 2025.

Pratten said walking soccer retains many of the skills used in the wider game, including teamwork and decision-making. He described the format as less focused on speed and more focused on positioning, movement, ball retention and passing.

He also said the mental and social effects had been substantial for him and others who play. According to Pratten, some players at his club are in their 80s, and the game offers camaraderie, humor and support as well as exercise.

Clubs report growth and social benefits

Roger Trowbridge, 66, chair of Cardiff City Walking Soccer Club, told Cardiff University he started playing after retiring from teaching. He said the club's membership rose from 80 to 129 in less than a year.

Trowbridge said the sport offers simple pleasures, including passing, scoring and playing as part of a team. He also said that after training sessions, many players gather for coffee and conversation, which he views as an important part of the club's value.

Cardiff University reported that the club's oldest player is 92 and that participants include people with a range of physical ailments. Trowbridge said walking soccer supports both physical and mental health for the group.

Pain did not stop many players

Thomas said the study is the first to examine older people's experiences of walking soccer as an accessible sport. He said the research shows that soccer in modified forms can benefit well-being.

Thomas said common assumptions hold that pain and bodily discomfort may discourage older people from active leisure. In the interviews, he said, many participants reported pain or discomfort but continued playing because the enjoyment, movement and team experience outweighed the risks for them.

Walking soccer is played recreationally and competitively, Cardiff University said. Teams usually have six players and may be divided by age and, in some cases, gender; more than 100,000 people are reported to play walking soccer across the U.K.

This story draws on original reporting from Phys.org.