Long-term follow up from the Harvard Alumni Health Study: collegiate sport participation in males is associated with higher physical activity throughout midlife.
Meagan M Wasfy,Uzair Tahamid Siam,Sarah K Gustus,Kevin S Boyd,Adam S Tenforde,Howard Sesso,I-Min Lee
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare physical activity (PA) over midlife between (1) former collegiate athletes and non-athletes and (2) among athletes in different sports.
METHODS
The Harvard Alumni Health Study (HAHS) is a prospective cohort study of male undergraduates who completed serial questionnaires regarding PA and health status between 1962 and 1993. PA was categorised by intensity (<3 METs, light; 3 to <6 METs, moderate; ≥6 METs, vigorous), and energy expenditure (kilocalories (kcal)/week) was estimated at each intensity and in total. HAHS data were merged with university athletics records. Mixed linear models, adjusted for graduating class, survey date, age and smoking, were compared with PA between relevant groups.
RESULTS
22 201 participants completed 38 448 surveys when 30-65 years old, of which 1533 (6.9%) participants were athletes completing 2733 (7.1%) surveys. The age at the first survey was 46.8±9.7 years. Athletes were more active than non-athletes throughout midlife (p<0.001), from age 35 (total PA: +856.8 [704.6 to 1009.1] kcal/week) to age 65 (+524.2 [359.1 to 689.4] kcal/week). Total PA levels converged with older age, and differences resulted from more vigorous intensity PA in athletes. Multisport collegiate athletes were more active than single sport athletes (+544.6 [196.5 to 892.7] kcal/week, p=0.002). Compared with other athletes, PA in midlife was higher in tennis (+750.1 [223.9 to 1276.2] kcal/week, p=0.005) and basketball (+373.6 [28.7 to 718.5] kcal/week, p=0.03) players.
CONCLUSION
Collegiate sport participation, particularly participation in multiple sports, is associated with higher midlife PA levels in males. These results underscore the importance of early life sport exposure in supporting health-promoting levels of later life PA.
期刊介绍:
The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) is a dynamic platform that presents groundbreaking research, thought-provoking reviews, and meaningful discussions on sport and exercise medicine. Our focus encompasses various clinically-relevant aspects such as physiotherapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. With an aim to foster innovation, education, and knowledge translation, we strive to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation in the field. Our multi-media approach, including web, print, video, and audio resources, along with our active presence on social media, connects a global community of healthcare professionals dedicated to treating active individuals.