Elite intercollegiate sports participation was associated with significantly greater joint health concerns in older alumni compared to nonathletes (OR 14.0; 95% CI 1.6-126; P=0.04).
Cross-Sectional (n=496)
No
Does being an elite intercollegiate student-athlete affect life-span health and health-related quality-of-life compared to nonathletes?
Elite intercollegiate student-athletes demonstrate greater joint health concerns later in life but comparable cardiopulmonary health and better early-life psychosocial health compared to nonathletes.
Effect estimate: OR 14.0 (95% CI 1.6, 126)
p-value: p=.04
CONTEXT: Competitive sports are recognized as having unique health benefits and risks, and the effect of sports on life-span health among elite athletes has received increasing attention. However, supporting scientific data are sparse and do not represent modern athletes. OBJECTIVE: To assess holistic life-span health and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) among current and former National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes (SAs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A large Division I university. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 496 university students and alumni (age 17-84 years), including SAs and an age-matched and sex-matched nonathlete (NA) control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Participants completed anonymous, self-report questionnaires. We measured the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) physical and mental component HRQL scores and cumulative lifetime experience and relative risk of treatment for joint, cardiopulmonary, and psychosocial health concerns. RESULTS: Older alumni (age 43+ years) SAs reported greater joint health concerns than NAs (larger joint summary scores; P = .04; Cohen d = 0.69; probability of clinically important difference pCID = 77%; treatment odds ratio OR = 14.0, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.6, 126). Joint health for current and younger alumni SAs was similar to that for NAs. Older alumni reported greater cardiopulmonary health concerns than younger alumni (summary score P 99.5%; OR = 7.1, 95% CI = 3.3, 15), but the risk was similar for SAs and NAs. Current SAs demonstrated evidence of better psychosocial health (summary score P = .006; d = -0.52; pCID = 40%) and mental component HRQL (P = .008; d = 0.50; pCID = 48%) versus NAs but similar psychosocial treatment odds (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.39, 1.9). Psychosocial health and mental component HRQL were similar between alumni SAs and NAs. No differences were observed between SAs and NAs in physical component HRQL. CONCLUSIONS: The SAs demonstrated significant, clinically meaningful evidence of greater joint health concerns later in life, comparable cardiopulmonary health, and differences in life-span psychosocial health and HRQL profiles compared with NAs. These data provide timely evidence regarding a compelling public issue and highlight the need for further study of life-span health among modern athletes.
Sorenson et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Elite Intercollegiate Student-Athletes (n=496). Elite intercollegiate sports participation vs. Age-matched and sex-matched nonathletes was evaluated on Joint health concerns in older alumni (age 43+ years) (OR 14.0, 95% CI 1.6, 126, p=.04). Elite intercollegiate sports participation was associated with significantly greater joint health concerns in older alumni compared to nonathletes (OR 14.0; 95% CI 1.6-126; P=0.04).