Interesting study on former NFL players' health

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A study I found on former NFL players that I thought would be interesting in our discussion of benefits and the NFLPA...

From the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes

Initial Findings from the 2001 Health Survey of Retired NFL Players


Total Number of Surveys Sent = 3,683
Total Number of Surveys Returned = 2,552 (69%)
Average Age of Respondent = 53.9 years old
Race: 26.9% African American 70.9% Caucasian 2.2% Other

Average # of years played professional football = 6.6

Neurology

- 62.5% of retired NFL players reported sustaining at least one concussion during their professional playing years

- The average # of concussions sustained by retirees during their professional playing years was 2.04

- 24% of retired NFL players reported sustaining three or more concussions during their professional playing years.

- Retired NFL players who sustained three or more concussions during their professional playing years had a nearly three-fold risk of being diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (one precursor to Alzheimer's disease).

Orthopaedics

- 38% of retired NFL players reported that they currently suffer from osteo/ degenerative arthritis.

- Compared to average American males, the prevelance of osteo/ degenerative arthritis in retired NFL players is significantley higher in each of the following age categories: 25-34 yo, 35-44 yo and 45-54 yo

- 16% of retirees with osteo/ degenerative arthritis reported that their condition 'often' limits their activities.

- 20% of retired NFL players reported sustaining at least one ACL injury during their professional playing years.

- The number of ACL and MCL ruptures sustained by retirees has increased exponentially every decade since 1940.

Cardiology

- The Body Mass Index (BMI) of retired NFL players in both their playing and retired years has incrementally increased each decade since 1940.

- The average BMI of retirees who played during the 1940's was 28.15 compared to 31.5 for retirees who played during the 1990's. A BMI of 27 or higher is considered overweight for males.

- Offensive linemen are more likely to report suffering from cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension than retirees who played any other position.

- 60% of retired NFL players reported that they engage in aerobic exercise on average four days a week for 56 minutes per workout.

- Those retirees who exercise reported lower body weights, had a lower BMI, and a lower prevalence of hypertension.

http://www.csra.unc.edu/statistics.htm
 
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