Recently, Sarna et al. (Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 25:237-244, 1993) reported 
increased mean life expectancy in former world class athletes. Because lifestyle 
is associated with longevity, we have examined whether health habits of former 
Finnish male athletes (N = 1274; present mean age: 57.5, range: 36-94 yr) 
differed from those of noncompetitive referents (N = 788; mean age: 55.7, range: 
39-87 yr). The athletes had represented Finland in international competitions in 
endurance (N = 177), power (N = 454), or other ("mixed") events (N = 643) from 
1920-1965. Data on physical characteristics, sociodemographic factors, and 
health habits were obtained from questionnaires. All dependent variables in an 
analysis of covariance and in a logistic regression analysis were adjusted for 
age and occupation. Both leisure aerobic and work activity of all athlete groups 
was higher (P < 0.01) than that of referents. Compared with the referents, both 
power and "mixed" athletes were more prone to eat fruits and vegetables and to 
avoid vitamin supplements, but less prone to use butter and high-fat milk, and 
to smoke (odds ratios different from 1.0, P < 0.05). Also endurance athletes 
smoked less and drank less alcohol than the referents (P < 0.05). Higher leisure 
aerobic activity and less frequent smoking after athletic years might explain 
higher life expectancy of Finnish athletes.