The relationship between collegiate athletic participation and future health and quality of life

This study examined the relationship between former collegiate athletes and former college students who did not participate in intercollegiate athletics to determine if there is any correlation between athletic participation and future health. Two groups of Ball State University faculty (42 former athletes and 32 non-athletes) were selected for this research, and the variables of quality of life and well-being were investigated through the Quality of Life Index and TestWell wellness inventory. Former athletes were found to have a higher level of wellness. Similarly, as a group, athletes were found to have a higher quality of life than former non-athletes. These findings do not support the quality of life findings by Morgan and Montoye (1984).