AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impaired glucose regulation in male Finnish former elite athletes and age- and area-matched controls. We hypothesised that vigorous physical activity during young adulthood protects from disturbances in glucose regulation in later life. METHODS: In 2008, 392 former male elite athletes (mean age 72.7 ± 6.1 years) and 207 controls (mean age 71.6 ± 5.6 years) participated in a clinical study (participation rate: 50.6%). The former athletes were divided into three groups based on their active career sport: endurance, mixed and power sports. Participants without a history of diabetes (n = 537) underwent a 2 h 75 g OGTT. Current volume of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was determined by self-reported questionnaires and expressed in metabolic equivalent hours (MET-h). Data on reimbursable diabetes medication from participants and non-participants was obtained from the register of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the former elite athletes had a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53, 0.98). The risk of type 2 diabetes decreased with increased LTPA volume (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99 per 1 MET-h/week). The former elite athletes also had a significantly lower risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) than the controls (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS/ INTERPRETATION: A former career as an elite athlete protected from both type 2 diabetes and IGT in later life. In addition, the volume of current LTPA was inversely associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impaired glucose regulation in male Finnish former elite athletes and age- and area-matched controls. We hypothesised that vigorous physical activity during young adulthood protects from disturbances in glucose regulation in later life. METHODS: In 2008, 392 former male elite athletes (mean age 72.7 ± 6.1 years) and 207 controls (mean age 71.6 ± 5.6 years) participated in a clinical study (participation rate: 50.6%). The former athletes were divided into three groups based on their active career sport: endurance, mixed and power sports. Participants without a history of diabetes (n = 537) underwent a 2 h 75 g OGTT. Current volume of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was determined by self-reported questionnaires and expressed in metabolic equivalent hours (MET-h). Data on reimbursable diabetes medication from participants and non-participants was obtained from the register of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the former elite athletes had a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53, 0.98). The risk of type 2 diabetes decreased with increased LTPA volume (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99 per 1 MET-h/week). The former elite athletes also had a significantly lower risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) than the controls (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS/ INTERPRETATION: A former career as an elite athlete protected from both type 2 diabetes and IGT in later life. In addition, the volume of current LTPA was inversely associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
Authors: J Lindström; M Peltonen; J G Eriksson; P Ilanne-Parikka; S Aunola; S Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi; M Uusitupa; J Tuomilehto Journal: Diabetologia Date: 2012-10-24 Impact factor: 10.122
Authors: Merja K Laine; Johan G Eriksson; Urho M Kujala; Rahul Raj; Jaakko Kaprio; Heli M Bäckmand; Markku Peltonen; Seppo Sarna Journal: J Sports Sci Med Date: 2015-05-08 Impact factor: 2.988
Authors: Urho M Kujala; Markku Peltonen; Merja K Laine; Jaakko Kaprio; Olli J Heinonen; Jouko Sundvall; Johan G Eriksson; Antti Jula; Seppo Sarna; Heikki Kainulainen Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2016-11-25
Authors: Merja K Laine; Niko S Wasenius; Hannes Lohi; Mika Simonen; Katriina Tiira; Johan G Eriksson; Minna K Salonen Journal: Int J Circumpolar Health Date: 2019-12 Impact factor: 1.228