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Heart attacks and lower-limb function in master endurance athletes
U M Kujala1, S Sarna, J Kaprio
1Institute of Biomedicine and Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 23, 1999
Summary
Competitive endurance sports in master athletes are associated with a significantly lower risk of heart attack. While knee osteoarthritis is more common, overall lower-limb disability is reduced in these athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Vigorous physical activity's health impact is debated.
- Investigating risks and benefits in master endurance athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of heart attack, osteoarthritis, and disability in male master endurance athletes.
- To compare health outcomes in competitive runners versus controls.
Main Methods:
- 11-year follow-up cohort study of 269 male orienteering runners and 188 controls.
- Assessed mortality, physician-diagnosed diseases, and disabilities via questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction in runners (0.7% vs 5.3%).
- Higher incidence of knee osteoarthritis and pain in runners, but no difference in hip issues.
- Lower disability from hip or knee pain in runners.
Conclusions:
- Top-level master endurance athletes have a low risk of heart attack.
- Despite increased knee osteoarthritis, these athletes experience less lower-limb disability.