Lower Mortality in NFL Players--if Weight Is Kept in Check

Size matters.

The lights have dimmed on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, site of Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, just as new data suggest that retired National Football League (NFL) players have a lower rate of deaths from all-causes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease when compared with the general US population [1].

That said, the reduction in mortality and cardiovascular disease was observed in the smaller players--defensive backs, punters, kickers, quarterbacks, and wide receivers, as well as fullbacks, halfbacks, running backs, tight ends, and linebackers. For the true giants of the gridiron, the linemen, the players often weighing 300 lbs or more, cardiovascular disease mortality was not significantly reduced compared with the US population. The study looked at athletes who were playing professionally 15 to 50 years ago.

"Size continues to be an important factor for these players as it is for the general population," lead researcher Dr Sherry Baron (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH) told heartwire .

The key is to get or remain trim.

Here's how.