Five-year Follow-up: Physical Activity, Daily Limitations, And Body Weight Change In Former Athletes Vs. Non-athlete Alumni

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

PURPOSE: Many collegiate athletes undergo high intensity training regimens, with little rest-time, that may result in chronic injuries and affect their ability to engage in physical activity when their collegiate athletic careers are over. The purpose of this on-going study is to investigate the effects of prior participation in collegiate athletics on physical activity patterns, limitations in activity, and weight gain post-college athletics. METHODS: Former Division I college athletes, and a demographically-similar group of alumni (controls), were surveyed, followed via e-mail, and resurveyed five years later. When each survey was administered, questions were included concerning current health and activity status. RESULTS: Of the athletes and alumni tracked and resurveyed, the return rate was 40%. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the athletes reporting limitations during daily activity (36%) and during physical activity (47%) post-graduation. For those controls who reported previous limitations, they did not have any increase post-graduation. The athletes reporting that a past injury effects their post-graduation physical activity level increased significantly (p<0.05), while controls reported no significant difference post-graduation. Male and female power athletes reported a significant increase in body weight vs. controls (p<0.05) post-graduation. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that prior collegiate athletics participation seems to have a long term impact on limitations in activity after one graduates college. The higher incidence of major injuries and chronic injuries, and disability from these injuries in athletes (Friery, JEP, 2007) may explain these differences in part. These data will help to determine the potential long-term risks associated with competitive collegiate athletics once an athlete's career is over.