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Physical activity is one of the main recommendations to prevent Parkinson\u2019s disease and parkinsonism, its milder cousin.<\/p>\nPhysical activity is one of the main recommendations to prevent Parkinson\u2019s disease and parkinsonism, its milder cousin.<\/p>\n
However, a recent study in JAMA Network Open suggests that a common sport may increase the risk of both.<\/p>\n
Drawing data from the Fox Insight study sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\u2019s Research, the authors recruited 1,875 men, averaging 67 years old.<\/p>\n
They were asked two questions: whether they had been diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease or parkinsonism and which types of sports they played during their lives.<\/p>\n
If they identified a sports type, they were also asked at what age they were introduced to it, up to which age and level they engaged in it, and how long they played.<\/p>\n
Of the men in this group, 85% (1,602 men) reported a diagnosis of parkinsonism or Parkinson\u2019s disease. Among these men, 729 had played American football.<\/p>\n
When the data were analyzed, the scientists drew the following conclusions.<\/p>\n
2. Those who played football the longest had a 12% greater risk than those who played for short periods only.<\/p>\n
3. Those who played at higher levels, defined as college and upward, were 2.93 times more likely to be diagnosed with parkinsonism or Parkinson\u2019s disease than those who played only at levels up to high school or casually as adults.<\/p>\n
4. The age when they first started playing didn\u2019t have an impact.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
These findings leave little doubt that engaging in football raises the risk of developing Parkinson\u2019s disease and parkinsonism. Even participation in amateur football, including at the youth and high school levels, is a significant risk factor.<\/p>\n