15 Dec Elite Athletes Have Lower Risk of Later Life Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Merja K. Laine
Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care
University of Helsinki
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background of your study?
Answer: We were interesting to know does a top-level sport during young adulthood protect against disturbances in glucose regulation in later life. In Finland, a unique study program including former male elite athletes and their age- and area-matched controls already initiated in 1985. In 2008, we invited those subjects who participated in the study earlier and were still alive.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of your study?
Answer: According to our study findings, the elite athletes (especially endurance athletes: cross-country skiing, long- distance running) had a significantly lower risk to type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance than the controls in later life. The volume of current self-reported leisure-time physical activity was inversely associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
It is important to enable possibilities to physical exercise throughout the life course.
Citation:
A former career as a male elite athlete-does it protect against type 2 diabetes in later life?
Diabetologia. 2013 Nov 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Last Updated on February 7, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD