Why the study?
Does being a former US Olympian improve longevity compared to the general population?
Does being a former US Olympian improve longevity compared to the general population?
Elite athletic status as a US Olympian is associated with a 5-year survival advantage over the general population, primarily driven by reduced cardiovascular and cancer risks.
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Olympian status was associated with longevity; hypothesis-generating for mechanisms and should not change clinical recommendations.
US Olympians lived longer than the general population, an advantage mainly conferred by lower risks of CVD and cancer. Nervous system disorders and mental illness did not differ between US Olympians and the general population.
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Antero et al. (2020) studied this question.
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