Abstract
Since the observation of several deaths from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among Italian professional soccer players, an association between ALS and soccer has been postulated, supported by high rates of morbidity and mortality risks in large cohorts of professionals. Several factors may explain this. A history of repeated (head) injuries is reported more frequently by ALS patients than by individuals with other clinical conditions. An association between exercise and ALS has also been suggested, but results in animals and humans are conflicting. Some clinical and experimental observations suggest a relation between ALS and use of substances such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and dietary supplements including branched-chain amino acids. Although Italian soccer players may be at higher risk of ALS than players in other countries, and higher than expected disease frequency seems soccer-specific, increased attention by the Italian lay press is an explanation that cannot be excluded. However, growing evidence points to the possibility that soccer players with ALS are susceptible individuals who develop the disease in response to combinations of environmental factors. Only cohort and case-control studies carried out with the same design in different European countries can provide a definite answer to this suspected but still unconfirmed association.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 501-506 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 7-8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
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Keywords
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Motor neuron disease
- Soccer
- Sport
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
Cite this
Are professional soccer players at higher risk for ALS. / Beghi, Ettore.
In: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, Vol. 14, No. 7-8, 12.2013, p. 501-506.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Are professional soccer players at higher risk for ALS
AU - Beghi, Ettore
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Since the observation of several deaths from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among Italian professional soccer players, an association between ALS and soccer has been postulated, supported by high rates of morbidity and mortality risks in large cohorts of professionals. Several factors may explain this. A history of repeated (head) injuries is reported more frequently by ALS patients than by individuals with other clinical conditions. An association between exercise and ALS has also been suggested, but results in animals and humans are conflicting. Some clinical and experimental observations suggest a relation between ALS and use of substances such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and dietary supplements including branched-chain amino acids. Although Italian soccer players may be at higher risk of ALS than players in other countries, and higher than expected disease frequency seems soccer-specific, increased attention by the Italian lay press is an explanation that cannot be excluded. However, growing evidence points to the possibility that soccer players with ALS are susceptible individuals who develop the disease in response to combinations of environmental factors. Only cohort and case-control studies carried out with the same design in different European countries can provide a definite answer to this suspected but still unconfirmed association.
AB - Since the observation of several deaths from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among Italian professional soccer players, an association between ALS and soccer has been postulated, supported by high rates of morbidity and mortality risks in large cohorts of professionals. Several factors may explain this. A history of repeated (head) injuries is reported more frequently by ALS patients than by individuals with other clinical conditions. An association between exercise and ALS has also been suggested, but results in animals and humans are conflicting. Some clinical and experimental observations suggest a relation between ALS and use of substances such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and dietary supplements including branched-chain amino acids. Although Italian soccer players may be at higher risk of ALS than players in other countries, and higher than expected disease frequency seems soccer-specific, increased attention by the Italian lay press is an explanation that cannot be excluded. However, growing evidence points to the possibility that soccer players with ALS are susceptible individuals who develop the disease in response to combinations of environmental factors. Only cohort and case-control studies carried out with the same design in different European countries can provide a definite answer to this suspected but still unconfirmed association.
KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - Motor neuron disease
KW - Soccer
KW - Sport
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U2 - 10.3109/21678421.2013.809764
DO - 10.3109/21678421.2013.809764
M3 - Article
VL - 14
SP - 501
EP - 506
JO - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
JF - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
SN - 2167-8421
IS - 7-8
ER -