Abstract P001: Neck Circumference Is Not Associated With Health Outcomes In Older Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: This study was undertaken to understand the relationship of neck circumference with body mass index, waist circumference, disease, functional capacity, physical function, and sleep disorders in older athletes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 212 older athletes competing at a local level in one of the largest populated cities in the world. Assessments included anthropometrics, disease history with drug treatments, functional capacity, physical function, and sleep disorders. Results: Most individuals with an increased neck circumference were overweight (N=69, 89%, p<0.0001) and had a greater waist circumference (N=55, 71%, p<0.0001). Neck circumference was associated with waist circumference (total sample, N=209: R=0.49, adjusted R 2 =0.24, p<0001), but it was only related to BMI when individuals were analyzed by gender (female, N=127: R=0.49, adjusted R 2 =0.24, p<0001; male, N=83: R=0.57, adjusted R 2 =0.31, p<0001). Neck circumference was related neither to disease (p=0.98), drug use (p=0.65), functional capacity (p=0.46), physical function (p=0.15), nor sleep disorders (p=0.61). Metabolic equivalent per week and sleep disorders weakly related to disease (total sample, N=212: R=0.21, adjusted R 2 =0.03, p<0.01) with borderline significance when the sample was subdivided by gender (female, N=129: R=0.22, adjusted R 2 =0.03, p=0.048; male, N=83: R=0.28, adjusted R 2 =0.06, p=0.035). Conclusion: Our study allows us to conclude that neck circumference may be associated with waist circumference and BMI. However, relationships with disease, functional capacity, physical function, and sleep disorders were not significant to suggest it as an indicator of health outcomes in older athletes.