We studied the lifetime occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms in former elite male
athletes: 29 weight-lifters, 31 soccer players, 28 long-distance runners, and 29 shooters,
45 - 68 years of age. The proportion of subjects with monthly back pain during the
past year was smaller among runners than among the other athletes, although not statistically
significant. Monthly back pain was more common in weight-lifters with lifetime training
hours above the median as compared with those below the median. The average intensity
of the worst back pain during the past year was clearly higher in weight-lifters and
soccer players, than in runners and shooters. Knee pain at least once a month during
the past year was reported by 52 % (Cl 33 - 70 %) of the soccer players, 31 % (Cl
15 - 51 %) of the weight lifters, 21 % (Cl 8 - 41 %) of the runners, and 17 % (CI
6 - 36 %) of the shooters (p = 0.019). Soccer players had the highest number of sports-related
knee injuries (p < 01.0001). Past knee injuries were associated with knee pain in
later adulthood (p = 0.048). More runners reported having had hip pain episodes during
their lifetime than other athletes, but no differences were found in the occurrence
of hip pain during the past year. In conclusion, compared with shooters, athletes
formerly exposed to heavy exercise did not report more frequent back pain during the
past year, whereas a high intensity of back pain was typical of soccer players and
weight-lifters. A predisposition to knee injuries in soccer players appears to increase
the risk of future knee pain. Similarly, knee pain later in life seems to be more
common in weight-lifters than in runners and shooters. Long-distance runners, on the
other hand, are prone to an increased lifetime risk of hip pain.
Key words
Hip pain - injury - knee pain - low back pain - sports
