Key result
Olympic athlete status is linked to ~71% lower mortality compared to the general population.
Why the study?
To evaluate mortality among Japanese Olympic athletes compared with the general population, and evaluate mortality based on total Olympics participation and sport discipline intensity.
Does Olympic participation frequency and sports intensity affect mortality in Japanese Olympic athletes compared to the general population?
Cohort (n=3,381)
Does Olympic participation frequency and sports intensity affect mortality in Japanese Olympic athletes compared to the general population?
Effect estimate: SMR 0.29 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.34)
Japanese Olympians have significantly lower mortality than the general population, though within this elite group, more frequent participation and higher intensity sports are associated with relatively higher mortality.
Lower mortality among Japanese Olympians was associated with elite participation; leaves open effects of repeated exposure and sport intensity.
AIM: To evaluate mortality among Japanese Olympic athletes compared with the general population and also evaluate their mortality based on total number of Olympics participation and intensity of sports disciplines. METHODS: Information on biography, vital status, date of birth, date of death and latest follow-up date on Japanese Olympians was retrieved from six online databases and compared. Standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was estimated according to observation periods and years from last participation in the Olympics. To further evaluate the association between mortality and total number of Olympics participation/intensity of sports disciplines within the study population, rate ratios (RRs) adjusted by sex, observation period and attained age group were estimated by a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: A total of 3381 Olympians were included in the analysis. The total person years was 94 076.82. The deaths of 153 (4.53%) Olympians were confirmed, and the overall SMR was 0.29 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.34). SMRs categorised by years from last participation did not differ significantly. Higher mortality was observed among those who participated in the Olympics twice (RR: 1.52; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.23) and three times or more (RR: 1.87; 95% CI, 1.08 to 3.25) compared with those who participated just once. Compared with combination of low static and low dynamic intensity category, higher mortality was observed in most combinations of middle-intensity or high-intensity categories. CONCLUSION: Japanese Olympians lived longer than the general population. More frequent participation in the Olympics and higher intensity of sports disciplines were associated with higher mortality.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Takeuchi et al. (2019) conducted a cohort in Healthy (General population mortality comparison) (n=3,381). Participation in Olympic Games vs. Japanese general population was evaluated on Overall mortality (Standardised mortality ratio) (SMR 0.29, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.34). Japanese Olympic athletes had significantly lower mortality compared to the general population, with an overall standardized mortality ratio of 0.29.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: