[Is top level athletic performance dangerous? A 25-year follow-up study of 24 elite cross-country skiers]

In the years 1964-68, the Norwegian troop of elite cross-country skiers comprised 27 skiers (15 men and 12 women). We present the results of a follow-up study 25 years after the troop's active competing period. One of the male skiers died suddenly of acute myocardial infarction in 1986, one was unable to participate in the study because of other disease, and one female refused to participate. The follow-up study thus comprises 24 athletes (13 men and 11 women). The results show that the group has managed to keep in physically good condition after concluding the active period. Two of the participants had paroxystic atrial fibrillation. Apart from this no cardiovascular disease was found which could be attributed to the hard physical training as top athletes.