Olympic medal winners live an average of 2.8 years longer than the general population, according to a recent study that looked at the Games going back to 1896. (click below to read more)
A second paper in the same journal looked at all Olympians from 1896 to 1936 and found that, after adjusting for sex and other factors, those in sports with high cardiovascular intensity, such as cycling, lived no longer than those in sports with low cardiovascular intensity, such as curling. But an 11%-higher risk of death was found among those who played contact sports like boxing or rugby.
An accompanying editorial notes that non-Olympians can enjoy a significant survival advantage—lasting one to several years—just by engaging in 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
"Survival of the Fittest: Retrospective Cohort Study of the Longevity of Olympic Medallists in the Modern Era," Philip M. Clarke, et al. "Mortality in Former Olympic Athletes: Retrospective Cohort Analysis," R. Zwiers, et al. "Everyone could enjoy the 'survival advantage' of elite athletes," Adrian E. Bauman and Steven N. Blair. All in BMJ
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