Key result
Olympic participation linked to ~3.4 extra life years, but Australian football and rugby offset survival gains.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to quantify and compare survival and longevity across three populations of male Australian elite athletes relative to sex- and age-matched general population referents.
Does elite athletic participation improve survival and longevity in male Australian athletes compared to the general population?
Population
10,502 Australian Football League players, 803 national rugby union players, and 1527 Olympic athletes
Comparison
Three elite athlete cohorts vs sex- and age-matched general population referents
Design
Retrospective cohort study
Authors
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Sport-specific longevity patterns in elite athletes should not yet guide recommendations; leaves open prospective validation of survival benefits.
Cohort (n=12,832)
Does elite athletic participation improve survival and longevity in male Australian athletes compared to the general population?
Mean Difference: 3.4 (95% CI 2.3–4.49)
p-value: p=<0.001
Elite male Australian Olympic athletes experience significant survival benefits compared to the general population, whereas Australian football and rugby union players do not show these expected longevity gains.
Lystad et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Elite athletes (n=12,832). Elite athletic participation vs. Sex- and age-matched referents from the general population was evaluated on Net survival and longevity (life years difference) (Life years difference 3.40, 95% CI 2.30-4.49, p=<0.001). Olympic athletes experienced a longevity gain of 3.40 life years (95% CI 2.30-4.49) compared to the general population, whereas survival benefits were offset in Australian football and rugby players.
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