Cardiovascular function as influenced by type of prior sport participation

Comparisons were made among three groups of former athletes (FA) in habitual lifestyle, self-perception of fitness, intensity of prior sport participation, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), blood pressure (SBp and DBp), heart rate (HR), and systolic time intervals (STIs). Three hundred and fifty FA, aged 27–74, were divided into three categories according to the sport type in which they had participated, i.e., team sports, individual sports, or team and individual sports. FA who participated in both individual and team sports were engaged in significantly greater occupational activity and intensity of prior sport participation compared with FA who had participated in individual or team sports. There were no significant differences in leisure time physical activity, self-perception of physical fitness, or smoking habits according to sport type. Furthermore, there were no significant differences among sport type categories in VO₂max, HR, or STIs at rest or postexercise, and SBp or DBp at rest. The evidence suggests that the type of sport participation, at least as categorized for this study, has little effect upon lifestyle and cardiovascular function in later life.