Perspective:

There is little doubt that a moderate amount of regular physical activity helps prevent diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and associated cardiovascular diseases. This study both confirms that current levels of leisure time physical activity are protective against the development of diabetes, and also suggests that a prior career as an elite athlete might be somehow prospectively protective as well. It could be anticipated that selection bias might have played a role in determining which individuals became career elite athletes. Finally, data suggesting that prior participants in the US National Football League are at increased subsequent risk of hypertension, obesity, and metabolic abnormalities might suggest that the type of sport (or, most likely, the body habitus of the athlete) plays an important role in any future protective effect associated with an athletic career.