Why the study?
Whether different health risks are apparent according to sports classification and between sexes in former athletes warranted further investigation.
Does an elite sporting career improve longevity and reduce CVD and cancer mortality compared to the general population?
Does an elite sporting career improve longevity and reduce CVD and cancer mortality compared to the general population?
Former elite athletes demonstrate increased longevity and reduced cardiovascular and cancer mortality compared to the general population, refuting the 'J' shape hypothesis regarding extreme exercise.
Reassures clinicians on elite sports longevity benefits; challenges J-shape hypothesis and strengthens exercise-mortality evidence.
Overall, athletes live longer and have a reduced incidence of both CVD and cancer mortality compared to the general population, refuting the 'J' shape hypothesis. However, different health risks may be apparent according to sports classification, and between sexes, warranting further investigation. Trial registration PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42019130688).
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Runacres et al. (2020) studied this question.
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