title: Current Health-Related Quality of Life in Former National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collision Athletes Compared With Contact and Limited-Contact Athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  All individuals completed the Short Form 36 version 2 via a computer.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens;
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Indiana University, Bloomington.
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Docherty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: collegiate athletes; football players; patient-reported outcomes