Background: Among former Olympic-level athletes, engagement in different sport disciplines is associated with reduced mortality risk in subsequent years. However, limited evidence is available on whether engagement in different sport disciplines at a young age is associated with locomotive syndrome (LS) risk later in life. This study examined the relationship between engagement in different sport disciplines during university years and LS risk in older age among former university athletes.Methods: Participants were 274 middle-aged and 294 older men alumni who graduated from a school of physical education in Japan. Data on university sports participation and club membership as well as LS risk were collected using questionnaires. University clubs were classified into three groups of cardiovascular intensity (low, moderate, high), following the classification system of sport disciplines by the American College of Cardiology. This classification considers the static and dynamic component of an activity, which correspond to the estimated percent of maximal voluntary contraction reached and to that of maximal oxygen uptake achieved, respectively. University clubs were grouped based on the risk of bodily collision (no, yes) and extent of physical contact (low, moderate, high). Relationships between engagement in different sport disciplines and LS risk were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for relative risks.Results: Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with the low, moderate, and high cardiovascular intensity sports were 1.00 (reference), 0.48 (0.22-1.06, P = 0.07), and 0.44 (0.20-0.97, P = 0.04) in older men, respectively; however, there was no significant association between these parameters among middle-aged men. Engagement in sports associated with physical contact and collision did not affect LS risk in either group.Conclusions: Engagement in sports associated with high cardiovascular intensity during university years may reduce the risk of LS in later life. Encouraging young people to participate in such activities might help reduce LS prevalence among older populations.
Background Physical fitness and motor ability are associated with the incidence of locomotive syndrome (LS) in the elderly. The relationship between physical fitness and motor ability at a young age and LS risk in later life remains to be clarified. This study examined the association between physical fitness and motor ability among university students and their risk of LS in middle and old age. Methods The participants were 231 male alumni aged 48–65 years of the Department of Physical Education of a university in Japan. Physical fitness and motor ability test results during their fourth year of university were used. Physical fitness tests included side-step test, vertical jump tests, back muscle, grip strength, trunk lift, standing trunk flexion, and step-test. Motor ability was tested using the 50-meter, 1,500-meter run, running long jump, hand-ball throw, and pull-up test. LS risk was assessed using a seven-question standardized self-administered Loco-check questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high) based on physical fitness and motor ability test results at young age and the LS risk was assessed at older age across the three groups using the Cox proportional hazards models. Results From the 2017 follow-up questionnaires, LS risk was suspected in 31 (13.4%) participants. Higher performance on the side-step test was associated with reduced risk of LS (hazard ratio 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.058–0.798, P=0.022). Conclusions Good agility (side-step test) at a young age may reduce future risk of LS among middle-aged and older men.
Background: Physical fitness and motor ability are associated with the incidence of locomotive syndrome (LS) in older adults. The relationship between physical fitness and motor ability at a young age and LS risk in later life remains unclear. This study examined the association between physical fitness and motor ability among university students and their risk of LS in middle and old age.Methods: The participants were 231 male alumni aged 48–65 years from the Department of Physical Education of a university in Japan. Physical fitness and motor ability test results during their fourth year at the university were used. Physical fitness tests included the side-step test, vertical jump test, back muscle, grip strength, trunk lift, standing trunk flexion, and step-test. Motor ability was tested using the 50-m and 1,500-m run, running long jump, hand-ball throw, and pull-up test. LS risk was assessed using a seven-question standardized self-administered Loco-check questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high) based on physical fitness and motor ability test results at young age, and LS risk was assessed at an older age across the three groups using Cox proportional hazards models.Results: From the 2017 follow-up survey, the median follow-up period was 37 years (interquartile range, 33–41), and LS risk was suspected for 31 (13.4%) participants. Better performance on the side-step test was associated with the reduced risk of LS (hazard ratio 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.101–0.983, P=0.047). Conclusions: Good agility (side-step test) at a young age may reduce the future risk of LS among middle-aged and older men.
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