Does Physical Activity Increase Life Expectancy? A Review of the Literature

Table 4

Case control studies presenting life expectancy of (former) athletes compared to that of control subjects.

Author(s)	Type of sports	Reduction/increase in life expectancy (y)
Prout [30]	Endurance sports (college rowers from Harvard and Yale)	+6.3
Sarna et al. [31]	Endurance sports (long distance running, cross-country skiing)	+5.7
Karvonen [32], Karvonen et al. [33]	Endurance sports (cross-country skiing)	+2.8 to +4.3
Sanchis-Gomar et al. [34]	Endurance sports (Tour de France cyclists)	+8.0
Sarna et al. [31], Sarna and Kaprio [35]	Power sports (throwing sports, wrestling, weight lifting, boxing)	+1.6
Sarna et al. [31], Sarna and Kaprio [35]	Team sports (ice hockey, soccer, basketball, other outdoor sports)	+4.0
Abel and Kruger [36]	Team sports (baseball)	−5.0
Abel and Kruger [37]	Team sports (baseball)	+4 to 5
Kuss et al. [38]	Team sports (German international soccer players)	−1.9 J. (+0.6 to −3.2)
Hudec et al. [39]	Various sports disciplines	−0.38
Rook [40]	Various sports disciplines	+1.03