Shahram Ahanjan - Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Amin Shafipour - Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Hossein Mehrabian - PhD Student, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Elite Institute, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Sadredin Shojaedin - Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Background & Aims: The advantages of physical activities have recently been suggested in preventing such chronic diseases as osteoarthritis. However, the effects severe physical activity may have on the musculoskeletal system of athletes are still unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare knee pain, existing symptoms, physical functions in daily activities, sports and recreation, and the quality of life of retired professional zurkhaneh athletes with that of non-athletes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۱۵ retired professional zurkhaneh athletes and ۱۵ non-athletic individuals were purposefully selected. Clinical diagnosis and radiological findings were confirmed by an orthopedic surgeon and the translated version of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire was also used. Statistical analysis of data was performed via Students' independent t-test at significance level of P < ۰.۰۵. Results: The mean scores of knee pain (P = ۰.۰۰۱) and physical function issues in sport and recreation activities (P < ۰.۰۰۱) was significantly lower in the athletes compared to the non-athletes. This shows that osteoarthritis was much more severe in the zurkhaneh athletes. Conclusion: There is a higher risk of knee osteoarthritis in former professional zurkhaneh athletes.

Knee osteoarthritis, Retired professional athletes, Sport injury, Zurkhaneh