Sports, physical exercise and use of alcohol.

In a general population study comprising 994 women and 1,000 men (aged > or = 15 years), we investigated differences in consumed amounts of alcohol related to participation in sports and physical exercise. Compared with the controls, women engaged in sports drank significantly more beer and had higher total consumption of alcohol. The differences in consumption disappeared when controlled for age and education. Men engaged in team sports had elevated consumption of beer and liquor and had a higher total consumption. Controlled for age and education, only differences in total liquor consumption remained significant. Frequency of exercising, irrespective of type of sports, was related to increased use of wine among men and women. There were no significant differences in use of beer, liquor or in total yearly consumption of alcohol.