Do Former Elite Athletes Live Longer? New Evidence From German Olympic Athletes and a First Model Description

Abstract

The positive effects of physical activity and recreational sports on health have been well-examined and are well-proven. In contrast, the consequences of extensive elite sports on life expectancy and mortality rates have been described in significantly less unique and comprehensive terms. There is a lack of models that systematically summarize the factors influencing the life span of elite athletes. Therefore, this study identifies the difference between all 6,066 German participants in Olympic Games between 1956 and 2016 and the total population, as well as between participants from the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and between the genders. Currently, the survival rate of German Olympians is lower compared to the general population. On the contrary, it was found that Olympic success represents a linear risk for survival probability. While different types of sports do not exhibit any differences, gender and origin (FRG vs. GDR) do represent a significant risk factor. These results are combined with the current state of research to create an impact model of factors influencing the life span of elite athletes.

In the Mind of the US Olympic Athletes; Longevity Advantage and Its Relation to Nervous System Disorders and Mental Illness

“…Indeed, it is one of the biases which may be hindering the true impact of certain sports risks that negatively affect highlevel athletes' longevity advantage. Female athletes represent no more than 30% of the Olympic athlete cohorts from other longevity studies around the world and are responsible for an even smaller proportion of deaths, or not included in the cohort at all [13,23,[27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

Increased HDL-C Values and Mortality: Revolutionizing a Historical Paradigm?

“…In particular, "strenuous" joggers (>4 h/wk at >7 miles/h) displayed a trend toward substantially enhanced risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 9.08; 95% CI: 1.87-44.01) compared with "light" joggers. Notably, data on professional athletes are also contradictory, in that some studies reported a higher risk of premature death, 16,17 while others did not. 18,19 Indeed, other studies suggest a "sweet spot" for PA and subsequent clinical outcomes, with either loss of benefit or worse outcomes at very high doses.…”