New Football for Diabetes Manual: Turning Scientific Evidence into Action
Researchers from the University of the Faroe Islands and the University of Southern Denmark launch a new practical guide promoting football training as an accessible and enjoyable form of exercise for people living with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
A new evidence-based manual, Football for Diabetes, has been developed to support the implementation of football-based exercise programmes for adults living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. The manual builds on years of scientific research demonstrating the potential of recreational football training to improve physical fitness, body composition and several important health outcomes.
The manual has been developed by researchers May-Britt Skoradal and Magni Mohr from the University of the Faroe Islands, together with Tina-Thea Nielsen and Peter Krustrup from the University of Southern Denmark.
Making physical activity accessible and enjoyable
Regular physical activity is a cornerstone in diabetes prevention and management. However, maintaining an active lifestyle can be challenging, and there is a continued need for exercise programmes that are effective, motivating and sustainable.
Football for Diabetes offers a practical approach that combines physical exercise with enjoyment, social interaction and team cohesion.
Importantly, the programme is designed for adults living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, regardless of age, sex, physical fitness or previous football experience. Training activities can be adapted to accommodate different physical abilities and individual needs.
"Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in both the prevention and management of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. However, one of the greatest challenges is helping people not only become physically active but also maintain an active lifestyle over time. Football offers a unique combination of effective exercise, enjoyment and social interaction, which may help people stay motivated. With this manual, we aim to make the health benefits of football accessible to more people living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes," says May-Britt Skoradal, Associate Professor at the University of the Faroe Islands.
From scientific research to practical implementation
The development of the manual is rooted in two decades of extensive research into the health effects of recreational football, including multiple studies involving people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Extensive international research, including studies conducted by the collaborating universities and other research institutions, has investigated the effects of football-based exercise on cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health, body composition and other health-related outcomes.
The new manual translates this scientific knowledge into practical guidance, supporting the introduction of football-based exercise in community and health-related settings.
"Our research has demonstrated that recreational football training combines cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal fitness training and has considerable potential as a health-promoting activity. With this manual, we aim to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and everyday practice, making it easier to establish structured football training programmes for people who can benefit from becoming more physically active," says Professor Peter Krustrup from the University of Southern Denmark.
An international perspective
The development of Football for Diabetes has also benefited from valuable input and discussions with the International Diabetes Federation Europe (IDF Europe), helping to strengthen the manual's relevance to diabetes prevention and management.
“Staying active can be particularly challenging when living with a complex, lifelong condition like type 2 diabetes. Football for Diabetes is an excellent example of translating scientific evidence into practical, inclusive and enjoyable opportunities for physical activity. Beyond the physical health benefits, team sports can foster social connections, a sense of belonging and emotional well-being, helping to address the isolation and stigma that people living with diabetes may experience. By bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, sports organisations and local communities, initiatives like this can help break down barriers to participation and support people living with diabetes to stay active over time.”, says Marian Brennan, IDF Europe.
By combining scientific evidence, practical guidance and an inclusive approach to physical activity, the authors hope that Football for Diabetes will inspire healthcare professionals, football clubs, sports organisations and community initiatives to introduce football-based exercise programmes.
The overall ambition is simple: To make physical activity an enjoyable and sustainable part of everyday life for more people living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
We are now ready to promote the new manual and to organise events and coaching courses on “Football for Diabetes. The first big event will be the upcoming Football is Medicine conference in Odense, Denmark, on 26-29 January 2027. At the FIM2027 conference, University of Southern Denmark, University of Faroe Islands, The Faroese Diabetes Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation Europe (IDF Europe) partner up, to have scientific presentations, panel discussions and practical courses on Football for Diabetes.
About the Football for Diabetes manual
Football for Diabetes (2026) is authored by:
· May-Britt Skoradal, University of the Faroe Islands
· Magni Mohr, University of the Faroe Islands and University of Southern Denmark
· Tina-Thea Nielsen, University of Southern Denmark
· Peter Krustrup, University of Southern Denmark
The manual is published by the University of Southern Denmark, Graphical Centre.
Access to the manual https://www.sdu.dk/en/fim
FIM 2027 conference homepage: https://www.conferencemanager.dk/footballismedicineconference202726-29januaryodensedenmark/conference
