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The excitement surrounding the Olympics is palpable. We sit with family and friends and watch athletes—some we’ve watched in multiple Olympics, others who are attending the Games for the first time—and hope for their success. These athletes spend years training and perfecting their sport, culminating in a few crucial moments of competition to win a coveted medal. Could it be that the years of investment, perseverance, sweat, and tremendous effort they put in not only lead to them making it to the podium, but also to a longer life? The answer is both surprising and fascinating.
Olympic athletes are considered modern gods in our eyes, with perfectly built bodies, the pinnacle of fitness and strength. But does all this also mean extra years of life? A comprehensive study in the USA from 2021 sheds light on this question. The study, which included 8,124 athletes who took part in the Olympic Games at least once between 1912 and 2012, examined the birth dates, mortality and causes of death of the participants. Its results were impressive: American Olympic athletes lived on average five years longer than the general population, which was mainly due to fewer early cardiovascular events and fewer cases of cancer.
Regular exercise is essential for health as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. Physical activity improves circulation, lowers blood pressure and increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which can help prevent heart disease. In addition, exercise strengthens the immune system and promotes hormonal balance, potentially reducing the risk of breast and colon cancer. Therefore, incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine is essential for long-term health and disease prevention.
Another study, focusing on Olympic medalists who competed between 1896 and 2010, presented similar but more moderate results. It found that medalists lived an average of 2.8 years longer than the general population. Interestingly, the type of medal – gold, silver or bronze – had no effect on the life expectancy advantage. No significant difference was found between endurance athletes and athletes in mixed sports either. However, medalists who participated in strength sports had a smaller but still significant advantage over the general population.
Another intriguing question is whether the intensity of sport has an impact on mortality later in life. A study led by Frouke Engelaer, involving nearly 9,900 athletes from 43 different sports who competed in the Olympic Games between 1896 and 1936, attempted to answer this question. The results showed no significant difference in life expectancy between athletes from high-intensity sports (such as cycling and rowing) and those who played less intense sports (such as golf or cricket). However, a worrying finding was that athletes in contact and collision sports such as boxing, rugby and ice hockey had an 11% increased risk of death compared to other athletes, probably due to repeated injuries.
From a gender perspective, a study focusing on Commonwealth Games medalists from 1930 onwards produced interesting findings. Men who participated in aquatics events lived on average about 5.3 years longer than the general population (a 29% improvement). In contrast, women who participated in all sports lived about 3.9 years longer compared to the general population (a 22% improvement). This is certainly an interesting statistic that requires further studies to confirm.
While these are impressive and encouraging results, before you start training for the next Olympics, it is important to remember that these results could also have been influenced by other factors, such as life expectancy. The first factor is genetics, which plays a very important role, as shown by the fact that some people simply tend to live longer, regardless of the amount or level of physical activity they do. A balanced diet is also crucial, especially the composition of the food we eat. Mental health is another important aspect, as chronic stress can negatively affect our overall health. And of course, the availability of medical treatment when needed.
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The key takeaway here is that physical activity is key to increasing life expectancy. The good news for those of us not competing in the Olympics is that the benefits of physical activity aren’t just reserved for Olympic athletes; we can all benefit. According to the World Health Organization, 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, such as walking or swimming, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity such as running, can significantly reduce morbidity and prolong life. Whether it’s walking, swimming, running, or another form of physical activity, make it part of your routine and you can help increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Remember, ultimately, it’s not about the winner’s podium, it’s about living a long, healthy, fulfilling life.
Dr. Shirit Kazum is the founder of the Sports Cardiology Clinic at Beilinson Hospital in Israel.
