"Do NFL Players Face A Higher Risk Of Early Death?" - Dennis Thompson
New research suggests NFL players have a slightly higher risk of early death than a group of replacement players who stood in for a few games during a short league strike in the 1980s. The overall difference in death rates did not reach statistical significance, but NFL players were more likely than replacements to suffer deaths related to neurological disorders and drug overdoses, the study authors said. While interesting, the findings are "kind of murky," said David Putrino, PhD, director of rehabilitation innovation at the Mount Sinai Health System and assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. It's difficult to form any strong conclusions, given that the players came from a variety of backgrounds and faced a variety of injuries that largely depended on which position they played, said Dr. Putrino, who wasn't involved in the study. "The one thing we can say for certain is that you can't make overarching statements about NFL players," he added. On the other hand, NFL players are asked to do things that could jeopardize their health, Dr. Putrino acknowledged. "They take a lot of punishment, and it's not just the NFL, it's all elite sports," Dr. Putrino said. "The wear and tear on the body is significant."
- David Putrino, PhD, Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Rehabilitation Innovation, Mount Sinai Health System
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