Sport and longevity: an observational study of international athletes.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Retrospective non-randomized cohort study using historical reference populations.
PubMed 39129051 · doi:10.1007/s11357-024-01307-9
What was done
The authors analyzed public historical records of 95,210 athletes born between 1862 and 2002 from 183 countries across 44 sports disciplines (95.5% male). Using robust linear regression models, they calculated changes in lifespan by measuring the difference in age at death between athletes and corresponding reference populations, adjusting for sex, year of death, and country.
What was found
Lifespan differences varied markedly by discipline. In males, pole vaulting (+8.4 years, 95% CI [6.8, 9.9]) and gymnastics (+8.2 years, 95% CI [7.4, 9]) showed the largest lifespan gains, whereas sumo wrestling (-9.8 years, 95% CI [-11, -8.6]) and volleyball (-5.4 years, 95% CI [-7, -3.8]) showed the largest reductions. Racquet sports (tennis and badminton) were positively associated with lifespan in both males (+5.7 years, 95% CI [5, 6.5]) and females (+2.8 years, 95% CI [1.8, 3.9]). Team sports varied: cricket, rowing, baseball, water polo, Australian rules, hurling, lacrosse, and field hockey showed positive associations; rugby, canoeing/kayaking, basketball, gridiron football, and soccer showed minimal association; and handball and volleyball showed negative associations.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that elite sports participation does not universally extend lifespan, with longevity outcomes varying substantially depending on the specific sport discipline and its physical demands.
Limits
Data were compiled from public historical databases with inherent reporting biases. Females comprised only 4.5% of observations, limiting power and generalizability for women. Important potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, cause of death, diet, doping, and post-retirement lifestyle factors could not be controlled for.