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No significant link seen between NFL playing career and long-term mortality vs limited NFL exposure
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There was no association between National Football League players who had careers beginning between 1982 and 1992 and a statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality compared with replacement players who had limited exposure in the league, according to a study published in JAMA.
Researchers performed a retrospective cohort study of 3,812 retired National Football League (NLF) players who first began in the league between 1982 and 1992. Of these, 2,933 were career NFL players and 879 were replacement players. On Dec. 31, 2016, the follow-up ended. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Using the Cox proportional hazards models, investigators compared the observed number of years from age 22 until death and then adjusted outcomes for birth year, BMI, height and position.
Investigators noted that by the end of follow-up, 144 NFL players and 37 replacement players had died. NFL players relative to replacement players had an adjusted mortality hazard ratio of 1.38. Cardiometabolic disease, transportation injuries, unintentional injuries and neoplasms were among the most common causes of death in career NFL players. The leading causes of death in replacement players included cardiometabolic diseases, self-harm and interpersonal violence, and neoplasms. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Venkataramani reports he received the Mentored Career Development Award and grant K23MH106362. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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