Objective  In the past decade, the health effect of recreational soccer (RS) has become the focus of foreign scholars, while the research on soccer science and health is relatively lacking in China.This study is to compare the health effects of RS and the traditional way of moderate-intensity continuous running (RU) are compared through the systematic review of relevant literature, and the exercise effects of RS are further evaluated, aiming to provide theoretical support for promoting the construction of Healthy China, enriching the public fitness program, and popularizing soccer.

  Methods  The relevant literature in PubMed, EBSCO MEDLINE, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wan fang data was searched and screened from January 2009 to December 2019.A total of 12 literatures were included.

  Results  ① Regrading the improvement of resting heart rate, body fat, VO_2max and posture balance, both RS and RU had significant and similar effects; ② In terms of improving blood pressure, body weight reduction, jumping ability and bone quality, the results showed inconsistency. The intervention effects of RS and RU were significant, and 50% of the results showed that RS was better than RU.

  Conclusion  12-16 weeks, 2-3 times/week of RS can improve the health effects of young and middle-aged people, similar to continuous running with the same intensity for the same time, and may be better in some aspects; for the intervention effects of RS and RU in patients with chronic diseases, it still needs to be verified by high-level RCT. It is suggested to promote the research of RS in China, stress the influence of RS on the health of teenagers and children, develop the best RS sports program for different people and further research on the health effects of RS.