TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Use of alcohol and alcohol-related morbidity in Finnish former elite athletes
JO  - Medicine and science in sports and exercise
A1  - Kontro, Titta K.
A1  - Sarna, Seppo
A1  - Kaprio, Jaakko
A1  - Kujala, Urho M.
SP  - 492
EP  - 499
VL  - 49
IS  - 3
N2  - INTRODUCTION: The impact of a history of competitive sports on later use of alcohol and occurrence of alcohol-related diseases is poorly known. We investigated how a history of elite level sports was associated with alcohol consumption in middle-age and with alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. <br><br>METHODS: Occurrence of alcohol-related diseases and deaths were followed using national registers from 1970 to 2008 among Finnish male former elite athletes (n=2202) and matched controls (n=1403) alive in 1970 (mean age 45.1 years). Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated by Cox proportional hazards model. In 1985 surviving participants questionnaire-reported their alcohol consumption and engagement in physical activity/sports. <br><br>RESULTS: The risk of any alcohol-related diseases or deaths did not differ between former athletes and controls (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.73-1.20, p=0.59), although, the risk was higher among both combat sports athletes and weightlifters compared to endurance sports athletes, shooters or jumpers & hurdlers (p<0.05). In 1985 athletes (417 grams/month; 95% CI 386-447) consumed more alcohol than controls (397grams/month; 95% CI 355-441) (p<0.05). Consumption was lower among endurance sports athletes than among controls (p<0.05). Team sports athletes consumed more alcohol (p<0.05), especially beer (p<0.01), compared to other athletes and controls. Athletes no longer engaged in leisure-time sports consumed more alcohol than those who continued to be physically active (p<0.05). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Overall former athletes reported higher alcohol consumption than controls. There was no difference in alcohol-related morbidity, but the risk varied between different sports groups. Alcohol consumption after top-sports career was greater if participation in leisure-time sports was discontinued.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0195-9131
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001137
ID  - ref1
ER  -