Walking football is driving active aging in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão. In Vale São Martinho, residents aged 50 and older are returning to the pitches to play a non-contact version of the sport where socialization and mental well-being take precedence over competition.
The adapted sport discards high-speed sprints, sliding tackles, and the intensity of professional matches. Under the rules of walking football, any player caught running is penalized with a foul by the referee. The initiative has gained traction across Portugal under the guidance of the Portuguese Football Federation and district associations, taking deep root in Vila Nova de Famalicão through a project launched by the Associação Desportiva de Vale São Martinho.
Rules Designed for Injury Prevention
Tailored specifically for adults aged 50 and older with no upper age limit, walking football alters traditional soccer rules to prevent injuries and protect physical health. Alongside the strict prohibition on running—which requires players to keep at least one foot in contact with the ground at all times—the ball cannot rise above waist height, and all physical contact is penalized.
Franklin Azevedo, a coach and participant, initiated the local project to bring physical activity back to the residents of the civil parish. “It’s a sport invented precisely for our age, from 50 up to 100 years old, for whoever can manage it,” Azevedo said. He noted that the softer, calmer rules allow individuals who used to play football, or always wanted to, to keep their bodies moving regardless of gender.
Association Leaders Promote Health and Well-Being
The leadership of the Associação Desportiva de Vale São Martinho quickly embraced the project. Pedro Correia, president of the institution, explained that the athletic component serves a broader purpose: generational reunion and health promotion. “It was a way to bring back home some members who used to play for us in the past and are now in middle age,” Correia said. “The main objective is to promote health, sports, and well-being at this more advanced age.”
Beyond physical gains, participants emphasize psychological and social impacts. The transition into retirement often brings a loss of daily routines, a challenge that walking football addresses through weekly training sessions and intermunicipal recreational gatherings.
Jaime Silva, president of the local parish council and a team member, highlighted the sport’s role in filling free time. “Most of these folks are already retired and often have no occupation,” Silva said. “Coming to train, play, and socialize allows us to share everyday difficulties. Socializing is fundamental for mental health.” Silva recalled a recent gathering organized by the Braga Football Association in Guimarães, describing a festive atmosphere where clearing daily worries mattered more than the physical competition.
Américo Campos, another athlete in the group, found the sport to be the push he needed to escape a sedentary routine. “Since I practically don’t do any physical exercise in daily life, this helps at least to use this day to practice sports and socialize,” Campos said.
Inclusion and the Push for Female Participation
Inclusion stands as a priority in the regional recreational format, which mandates the presence of women on the field. The Vale São Martinho group currently has 13 registered participants but only two female athletes—the strict minimum required by regulations to enter tournaments.
Irene and Ana, the team’s two female players, urged other women in the community to try the sport. “We are warriors!” Irene said. “Some people are afraid of ruining their legs, but there is no need to be afraid. Come visit us, come watch a training session, and you’ll fall in love with football.”
Ana echoed the need to recruit more players to secure the team’s continuity in regional events. “I started almost out of obligation, but now I’m in love,” Ana said. “It’s very cool and we get excited. Since it’s mandatory to always have two women on the pitch, if one of us misses, the team can’t play. We need more ladies… because we already have plenty of men!”
As participation expands across Vila Nova de Famalicão and the Braga district, walking football establishes itself as an effective social and athletic outlet, illustrating that a passion for team sports does not age—it simply changes its pace.
