INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of playing football on postprandial lipaemia in normal and overweight individuals.

METHODS: Fifteen (7 normal weight, age = 32.3 ± 6.0 years, BMI = 22.8 ± 3.4 kg/m2 and 8 overweight, age = 33.3 ± 5.5 years, BMI = 29.2 ± 3.2 kg/m2, mean ± SD) recreational football players were recruited. On the evening of day 1, participants played a 60-min 9-a-side football match (FOOT) or rested (control; CON) in a randomised counterbalanced cross-over design. Activity profile, heart rate and rate of perceived exertion were recorded. The next morning (> 10 h after the match), blood samples were collected before (0), 0.75, 2, 4, and 6 h after a high-fat meal.

RESULTS: Total area under the curve for triglycerides were 22% and 28% lower for the normal weight (p < 0.01; 95% CI - 2.45 to - 0.68; ES = 0.87) and overweight (p < 0.01; 95% CI - 8.14 to - 0.88; ES = 0.68) groups in the FOOT compared to the CON. The postprandial incremental area under the curve for triglycerides was 31% lower in the normal weight group (ES = 0.79) for the FOOT compared to CON trial and a discernible trend was shown for the overweight group (22%; ES = 0.51). Two-hour Insulin Sensitivity Index was lower (ES = - 0.95) for FOOT compared to CON trial in the overweight group only.

CONCLUSION: Playing a 60-min football match can attenuate the triglyceride response to a high-fat meal in normal and overweight individuals.