New Study Reveals Dementia Risk in Former Fitbaers No Linked tae Lifestyle Factors

In a grundbrakin study led by consultant neuropathologist Professor Willie Stewart fae the University o Glesga, researchers hae uncovered that lifestyle factors commonly associated wi dementia dinnae contribute tae the heichened risk observed in former professional fitbaers. The findins, published in JAMA Netwark Open, challenge previous assumptions aboot the connection atween health habits an neurodegenerative diseases in sports.

The investigation drew data fae the electronic health records o nearly 12,000 former fitba players an a comparable group o ower 35,000 controls fae the Scottish population. Key risk factors for dementia, sic as smokin, depression, diabetes, an obesity, wur analysed. Surprisinly, the results indicated that these factors wur either similar or even lawer amang the former players whan compared tae the control group.

This research expands on earlier studies, notably the 2019 report demonstratin that ex-fitbaers are 3.5 times mair likely tae dee fae neurodegenerative diseases. Follaein this, a 2021 study heilichtit a direct link atween the duration o professional careers an increased dementia risk, wi langer careers correlatin wi a fivefold increase in the likelihood o neurodegenerative conditions.

Professor Stewart emphasised the importance o these findins, statin, “Oor latest results suggest the relationship atween heicher rates o neurodegenerative disease amang former professional fitbaers isnae driven by those wider general health an lifestyle factors.” He advocates that while addressin lifestyle risks is important, the priority shoud centre on minimisin exposure tae repetitive heid impacts an traumatic brain injuries durin sportin activities.

The implications o this study are significant, cawin for enhanced strategies tae manage heid injuries an mitigate dementia risks in contact sports. Wi fundin fae organisations sic as the Fitba Association, the Professional Fitbaers Association, an national health entities, this research heilichts the urgent need for ongaun evaluation an prevention strategies in sports tae protect athletes’ lang-term health.