[Villages PL]

I saw a list of athletes in the Daily Sun who died in 2011 and I figured out their average age of death. It came to 68. No surprise there because I had read years ago that they live shorter lives, on average, than the general population. There were ten athletes listed for 2011.

I figured that wasn't very scientific so I went to google to see what I could find. Well, I found a site that stated the average elite athlete will only live to age 67. How about that! I was only off by one year. And 67 compares with the average for the U.S. population of 76.

Another statistic (this one from the NFL): The average life expectancy for NFL players is 58.

Could it be we admire the wrong people?

[rubicon]

Was there a reason(s) given for the disparity?????

[coralway]

Seems entertainers also do not hang around long.

Kicks just keep getting harder to find.

[Shimpy]

Was the cause of death natural or otherwise? I'm sure their lifestyle had a lot to do with it.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Was there a reason(s) given for the disparity?????

I didn't spend much time at that site but I think there could be several reasons. Here's what I would guess:

1. Diet: This is probably a big factor. Most athletes are not known for eating salads, right? If anything, they are big consumers of animal protein and starch.

2. Training: How about the stress of competition? To qualify, you have to be highly competitive and elite athletes train hard. This can raise cortisol levels.

3. Performance enhancing drugs: I'm not sure about this but it may be a factor.

4. Sports injuries and deaths: Those who die young in training or competition will serve to bring the average life expectancy down. I'm not sure how big a factor this is but we have heard of runners dropping dead while running and basketball players dropping dead during a game.

5. Risk taking: Elite athletes are relatively young and may tend to be risk takers in general. Think drugs, booze and partying. This may or may not be a factor.

Getting back to diet, most elite athletes are big and tall and expend a lot of energy. So they eat a lot and burn a lot of calories. The more calories one burns the more free radicals that are created in the burning process. And these free radicals cause damage to cells. In other words, they burn themselves out. Well, it's just a theory.

Having said that, in small-animal studies that have been conducted since the 1930s, animals that are fed low calorie diets live considerably longer than those who are allowed to eat as much as they want.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I didn't spend much time at that site but I think there could be several reasons. Here's what I would guess:

1. Diet: This is probably a big factor. Most athletes are not known for eating salads, right? If anything, they are big consumers of animal protein and starch.

2. Training: How about the stress of competition? To qualify, you have to be highly competitive and elite athletes train hard. This can raise cortisol levels.

3. Performance enhancing drugs: I'm not sure about this but it may be a factor.

4. Sports injuries and deaths: Those who die young in training or competition will serve to bring the average life expectancy down. I'm not sure how big a factor this is but we have heard of runners dropping dead while running and basketball players dropping dead during a game.

5. Risk taking: Elite athletes are relatively young and may tend to be risk takers in general. Think drugs, booze and partying. This may or may not be a factor.

Getting back to diet, most elite athletes are big and tall and expend a lot of energy. So they eat a lot and burn a lot of calories. The more calories one burns the more free radicals that are created in the burning process. And these free radicals cause damage to cells. In other words, they burn themselves out. Well, it's just a theory.

Having said that, in (double blind) small-animal studies that have been conducted since the 1930s, animals that are fed low calorie diets live considerably longer than those who are allowed to eat as much as they want.

You didn't mention the ones that were killed by their girlfriends. Or their girlfriends husbands. And they have enlarged hearts too. The girlfriends and the girlfriends husbands and the small animals they keep who aren't allowed to eat as much as they want.

I know. I was trying to pay attention. I am a fast reader and sometimes I don't absorb the information properly.

I am kidding you a little Villages Pl.

The truth is we all have to leave this earth. The secret is to not waste precious time worrying about it. We should use our common sense and try to live healthily but not get too, too, worried about it. Dancing and smiling and enjoying each other's company is very good for us.

[eweissenbach]

Being a former athlete (not elite) and coach, I have done a lot of reading on this subject. Elite athletes make a lot of sacrifices to get to the top, including, in many cases, bad nutrition in an effort to gain weight and/or strength. Many of them also have abused steroids and drugs in an effort to gain an edge. They also suffer from depression at a higher rate than the average population, probably due largely to the comedown from being an icon to being just another citizen.

Now football is a story unto itself. All of the other factors affect former football players PLUS the unbeleiveable damage done to their bodies as the result of the collisions they are involved in regularly. Few football players come through their career without multiple concussions, not to mention broken bones, torn ligaments, compressed disks etc. The toll on the human body through football is something that we were simply not built to endure. The suicide rate among former football and hockey players (another group who take a brutal beating) is several times higher than the public as a whole. There was an interesting article on the 86 Cincinnati Bengals in Sports Illustrated a couple weeks ago, which outlined the medical issues they had dealt with over the last 25 years. While most had suffered multiple problems, surgeries, etc. almost all felt it was worth it and they would do it over again knowing what they know.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Being a former athlete (not elite) and coach, I have done a lot of reading on this subject. Elite athletes make a lot of sacrifices to get to the top, including, in many cases, bad nutrition in an effort to gain weight and/or strength. Many of them also have abused steroids and drugs in an effort to gain an edge. They also suffer from depression at a higher rate than the average population, probably due largely to the comedown from being an icon to being just another citizen.

Now football is a story unto itself. All of the other factors affect former football players PLUS the unbeleiveable damage done to their bodies as the result of the collisions they are involved in regularly. Few football players come through their career without multiple concussions, not to mention broken bones, torn ligaments, compressed disks etc. The toll on the human body through football is something that we were simply not built to endure. The suicide rate among former football and hockey players (another group who take a brutal beating) is several times higher than the public as a whole. There was an interesting article on the 86 Cincinnati Bengals in Sports Illustrated a couple weeks ago, which outlined the medical issues they had dealt with over the last 25 years. While most had suffered multiple problems, surgeries, etc. almost all felt it was worth it and they would do it over again knowing what they know.

Well said and thoughtful post.

I would like to add that a majority of athelets don't have a long playing career and have to start another career when in their late twenties or thirties. Some athletes only know playing their sport as they have been doing that all their lives. It is a very hard reality for most of them and most miss the limelight of being a celebrity.

[Trish Crocker]

Wow, if being an athlete means you have a shorter life...I should live to be 150

[RichieB]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Wow, if being an athlete means you have a shorter life...I should live to be 150

If that happens, you will surely set a record !

[Chi-Town]

"A bulb that burns twice as bright lives half as long".

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

Wow, if being an athlete means you have a shorter life...I should live to be 150

Good one Trish.

[ajbrown]

Here is a terrific example of a well conditioned athlete

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S9BpgSXhAA[/ame]

I added this QUOTE in case you do not see video or link above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S9BpgSXhAA

PS. Life time Pats fan here.....

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I didn't spend much time at that site but I think there could be several reasons. Here's what I would guess:

1. Diet: This is probably a big factor. Most athletes are not known for eating salads, right? If anything, they are big consumers of animal protein and starch.

2. Training: How about the stress of competition? To qualify, you have to be highly competitive and elite athletes train hard. This can raise cortisol levels.

3. Performance enhancing drugs: I'm not sure about this but it may be a factor.

4. Sports injuries and deaths: Those who die young in training or competition will serve to bring the average life expectancy down. I'm not sure how big a factor this is but we have heard of runners dropping dead while running and basketball players dropping dead during a game.

5. Risk taking: Elite athletes are relatively young and may tend to be risk takers in general. Think drugs, booze and partying. This may or may not be a factor.

Getting back to diet, most elite athletes are big and tall and expend a lot of energy. So they eat a lot and burn a lot of calories. The more calories one burns the more free radicals that are created in the burning process. And these free radicals cause damage to cells. In other words, they burn themselves out. Well, it's just a theory.

Having said that, in small-animal studies that have been conducted since the 1930s, animals that are fed low calorie diets live considerably longer than those who are allowed to eat as much as they want.

After reading your stats the first think tha came to mind was they burn out while the rest of us wear out

[MrMark]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I saw a list of athletes in the Daily Sun who died in 2011 and I figured out their average age of death. It came to 68. No surprise there because I had read years ago that they live shorter lives, on average, than the general population. There were ten athletes listed for 2011.

I figured that wasn't very scientific so I went to google to see what I could find. Well, I found a site that stated the average elite athlete will only live to age 67. How about that! I was only off by one year. And 67 compares with the average for the U.S. population of 76.

Another statistic (this one from the NFL): The average life expectancy for NFL players is 58.

Could it be we admire the wrong people?

Would it be impertinent for me to ask if anyone outside TV really cares?