Diabetes in Elite Athletes?

Major underlying factors such as physical inactivity and genetic predisposition are believed to contribute to diabetes. A total of 392 former male elite athletes and 207 controls participated in a recent study. The athletes were divided into three groups based on their active career sport: endurance, mixed and power sports. Patients who do not have a history of diabetes underwent oral glucose tolerance tests. Self-reported questionnaires determined the current volume of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA).

Results showed that former elite athletes had a 28% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Each different sports categories had a different risk reduction: 61% in athletes who played in endurance sports, 21% in mixed sports, and 23% in power sports. Also the risk of type 2 diabetes decreased with an increased LTPA volume. And the former athletes also had a significantly lower risk of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

The researchers concluded that former elite athletes have a low risk of developing diabetes later in life. Also, a higher volume of current LTPA has a correlation with lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Practice Pearls:

• Former elite athletes have lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
• There is a lower risk of impaired glucose tolerance in former elite athletes.
• There is a 61% risk reduction of type 2 diabetes in athletes who participated in endurance sports.

Diabetologia, Nov. 2013