Predictors of health-related quality of life among Brazilian former athletes

  • V. Cordeiro Barbosa Filho Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health, Sports Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil. Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health in School, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • D. Ferreira Oppa Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health, Sports Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
  • J. Mota Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • S.A. Mendes de Sá Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health in School, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
  • A. da Silva Lopes Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health, Sports Department, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
Keywords: Psicología del deporte, Enfermedad crónica, Conducta de salud, Determinantes de la salud, Gestión de la lesión, Salud mental Sport psychology, Chronic disease, Health behaviour, Health determinants, Injury management, Mental health Psicologia do esporte, Doença crônica, Comportamento em saúde, Determinantes em saúde, Gestão de lesões, Saúde mental

Abstract

 
Objective

To identify predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among former athletes.

Method

This cross-sectional study included 186 subjects (64% male, aged 40–64 years), representing 51.4% of former athletes from the Jogos Abertos de Santa Catarina (1960–2006). The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL (Physical Health and Mental Health summary scores). Sociodemographic variables (gender, age, education, occupation, marital status and income), health status (body mass index, medication use, chronic problems, sports injuries that affect current daily living and health guidance from their coaches), time since they stopped competing and leisure-time physical activity were exploratory variables. Multivariate linear regression models were used.

Results

Sports injuries that affect current daily living (standardised score [β] = −0.430 and −0.133), body mass index (β = −0.226 and −0.238) and chronic problems (β = −0.138 and −0.144) were predictors of both Physical Health and Mental Health. Prescription medicine (β = −0.177) and occupation (β = 0.095) predicted only Physical Health scores, and income (β = 0.224) predicted only Mental Health scores (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These variables can be focused on HRQoL promotion strategies among former athletes.

 
 
 
Published
2018-04-18
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2018): March 2018
Section
Originals
Page/s
23-29