Long-term intensive athletic training: few adverse effects on later physical health

[Long-term intensive athletic training; few adverse effects on later physical health]

[Article in Dutch]

Kuipers H, Keizer HA, Schep G, Hoogeveen AR.

Universiteit Maastricht, vakgroep Bewegingswetenschappen, Postbus 616, 6200 MD Maastricht. harm.kuipers@bw.unimaas.nl

In general, physical activity benefits health. However, long-term intensive physical training may have detrimental effects on the health of some individuals. In cyclists, changes in the femoral arteries may occur leading to stenoses that are manifested in claudication type symptoms. Some endurance athletes may experience atrial fibrillations that are possibly related to long-term physical training. Older athletes only have an increased risk of osteoarthritis in joints that have suffered injuries. Menstrual disturbances and premature osteoporosis may occur in women as a consequence of intensive physical training. However, the risk for these adverse consequences of long-term physical training is small