TORONTO – Players in the National Football League can breathe a sigh of relief.
A study recently completed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says that NFL players are living longer and healthier lives, despite previous beliefs that their occupation put them at risk for premature death.
This new records-based study, which contained no physical samples such as blood tests, dispels that idea.
Retired players were identified using the NFL pension fund and included those who played from 1959 to 1988.
The study was based off information collected during a 1994 study, requested by the NFL Players Association, to “investigate concerns that players were dying prematurely”.
According to the study, retired NFL players with five or more seasons played experienced an overall lower risk of cancer and had a longer average lifespan, when compared to the average population.
Out of 3,439 players studied, 334 died during the study; significantly less than the 625 players NOISH estimated upon beginning the study. Researchers found a lower cancer rate among players; 85 players died of cancer compared to 146 deaths estimated in the average population.
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“When looking at all of the players as a group, we found the risk of dying of heart disease was lower compared to the general population,” according to NOISH.
126 deaths were reported from heart disease, which was less than expected.
Besides the good news, however, the risk of death associated with heart disease remained a cause of worry for some players. There was higher risk of death from heart disease among certain players.
Players with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, during their time on the field, doubled their chance of dying from heart disease and African American players experienced a 42 per cent high risk of developing heart disease.
Depending on the position of the player the risk increased further. Defensive linemen had a 42 per cent higher risk of dying of heart disease; in fact, 41 defensive linemen died of heart disease during the study.
The study did not take into account other causes of death such as suicide, which claimed the life of former NFL players Dave Duerson and Junior Seau recently.
Fact file:
Players at higher than normal risk of dying of heart disease:
Defensive End, Defensive Lineman, Defensive Tackle, Nose Guard and Nose Tackle
Players at lower than normal risk of dying of heart disease:
Defensive Back, Kicker, Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Fullback, Halfback, Linebacker, Offensive End, Running Back, Tight End
Players at slightly lower risk of dying of heart disease:
Center, Offensive Guard, Offensive Lineman, Offensive Tackle
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