Review of cardiometabolic risk factors among current professional football and professional baseball players.

Data on the development of cardiovascular disease in professional football players are conflicting. Studies have documented a higher prevalence of obesity, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, increased left ventricular and left atrial size, and higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in former professional football linemen compared with nonlinemen. It has been suggested that former National Football League players are at risk for early cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Comparison of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in professional baseball players versus professional football players.

In 2006, a newspaper report indicated an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and early mortality in retired professional football players compared to professional baseball players. This study included 69 professional football players from a 2008 National Football League training camp and 155 professional baseball players from an American League 2009 spring training site who volunteered to participate in a study of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. The prevalence of body mass index > or =30 kg/m(2), waist circumference > or =100 cm, waist/height ratio >0.

Elevated alanine aminotransferase in current national football league players: correlation with cardiometabolic syndrome markers, obesity, and insulin resistance.

Objectives: Media reports suggest increased cardiovascular mortality in former National Football League (NFL) players. We previously demonstrated that current heavier players already have cardiometabolic syndrome markers: blood pressure (BP) >or=130/85 mm Hg, fasting glucose >or=100 mg/dL, triglycerides >or=150 mg/dL, waist circumference >or=100 cm, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Methods: A prospective study including 69 of 91active players (76%) from one NFL team was performed.

Early cardiovascular mortality in professional football players: fact or fiction?

Present data about the increased incidence of early cardiovascular disease and mortality in National Football League (NFL) players is conflicting. These findings are particularly concerning given the escalating weight of current football players at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Recent studies have confirmed that heavier former NFL linemen have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared with an age- and sex-matched reference population.

Cardiometabolic abnormalities in current National Football League players.

Media reports suggested an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and premature death in former National Football League (NFL) players. The prevalence of cardiometabolic syndrome was determined in current active NFL players. The presence of cardiometabolic syndrome was defined as > or =3 of (1) blood pressure > or =130/85 mm Hg, (2) fasting glucose > or =100 mg/dl, (3) triglycerides > or =150 mg/dl, (4) waist circumference > or =100 cm, and (5) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol < or =40 mg/dl.