Olympic athletes live longer than non-athletes, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. After conducting two studies, which tracked the lives of 15174 and 9889 athletes between the years of 1896 and 2010, it was found that Olympians lived on an average for about 2.8 years more, leading researchers presented their conclusions, in saying, “Although the evidence points to a small survival effect of being an Olympian, careful reflection suggests that similar health benefits and longevity could be achieved by all of us through regular physical activity. We could and should all award ourselves that personal gold medal.”
Further, in the first study, comparisons were made between factors such as the longevity of medalists from various countries, their sport and the amount of physical contact involved in the sport they participated in. This led researchers to believe that these athletes had a strong ‘survival advantage’ as they were able to meet certain physical activity guidelines. Apart from the conclusion, what was also found was that this ‘survival advantage’ was not only enjoyed by athletes who took part in sport that were of high cardiovascular activity intensity but also by those who took part in sports like golf that are classified as a low cardiovascular sport.
What wasn’t so surprising was that athletes who participated in sports such as boxing, hockey and rugby suffered from a 11% increased risk of mortality as opposed to other sports which did not require physical contact. What the conclusion of these studies also points to is that regular exercise (at least 150 minutes every week) can increase life expectancy.
A moussaka in your own kitchen is a great way to taste some Mediterranean flavors. Alternations of soft eggplant, seasoned ground meat, and creamy béchamel characterize this richly flavored dish with hearty elements commonly found in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. Here is how you can prepare this timeless recipe step by step. Manakish Oven…
