Current health-related quality of life in former national collegiate athletic association division i collision athletes compared with contact and limited-contact athletes

Abstract

Context: Previous researchers have shown that current health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is lower in former National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes than in nonathletes. However, evidence supports the idea that individuals in collision sports (football) may suffer more serious injuries that may affect them later in life. Objective: To measure HRQoL in former Division I collision, contact, and limited-contact athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 374 former Division I athletes between the ages of 40 and 65 years were separated into collision, contact, and limited-contact groups. Intervention(s): All individuals completed the Short Form 36 version 2 via a computer. Main Outcome Measures(s): The dependent variables were the physical component and mental component summary scores and the physical functioning, physical role functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social role functioning, emotional role functioning, and mental health scales. An initial multivariate analysis of covariance included data from the 2 domains: physical component and mental component summary scores. The second multivariate analysis of covariance included data from the 8 dimensions: physical function, role physical, bodily pain scale, general health, mental health, role emotional, social function, and vitality scales. The α level was set at P < .05 with a covariate of sex. Results: The responses were significantly lower (worse) for the former collision athletes compared with the contact and limited-contact athletes for the summary scores (F2,370 = 90.09, P < .01) and all 8 scales (F8,364 = 24.33, P < .01). The largest differences were between the collision and limited-contact athletes for the bodily pain and role physical scales, with mean differences of 12.91 and 11.80 points, respectively. Conclusions: Competing at the Division I level can be strenuous on an athlete's physical, mental, and social dimensions, which can affect the athlete later in life. Based on these data, collision athletes may sacrifice their future HRQoL compared with contact and limited-contact athletes.