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.