A large study of more than 20,000 bodybuilders has found that building extreme levels of muscle mass can double the risk of sudden cardiac death, compared to the general population.
Meanwhile, for those who participate in professional competitions like Mr Olympia, the risk increases fivefold compared to those who train non-competitively.
Some of the main findings of the study:
40% of bodybuilder deaths were sudden and heart-related.
About 121 athletes had died in the period 2005–2020, with an average age of death of 45 years.
The study suspects that the true number of deaths may be higher, as some were listed as "unknown."
Why does this happen?
According to Dr. Marco Vecchiato from the University of Padua, a combination of factors is responsible:
Extreme strength exercises
Rapid weight loss, including very strict diets and dehydration
Widespread use of performance-enhancing substances, such as steroids
These factors stress the heart, increase the risk of cardiac rhythm disorders, and can cause structural changes in the heart over time.
Steroids under investigation
Previous studies suggest that up to 75% of bodybuilders have used anabolic steroids, which:
Increases the risk of heart failure, stroke, high cholesterol, and kidney problems
Can lead to severe acne, aggression, mental disorders and addiction
The case of Zak Wilkinson, a 32-year-old from Britain, illustrates the extreme consequences: after using steroids, he experienced convulsions, vomiting, extreme sweating and ended up in an induced coma. Doctors believe he will suffer the consequences for the rest of his life.
Death not only from the heart
The study also found a significant number of sudden traumatic deaths, including:
Car accidents
Suicide
Murder
overdose
This suggests the need for greater awareness of mental health among bodybuilders, as cultural pressure for the "perfect" body is often associated with mental disorders and substance abuse.
What do the experts recommend?
Reflection on the culture of extreme fitness and the danger of pursuing "bodily perfection" at all costs.
Better medical supervision, especially for professional athletes.
Stricter rules against doping in sports competitions.
Awareness campaign about the dangerous effects of performance-enhancing substances.
Dr. Vecchiato emphasizes that bodybuilding is not inherently harmful – on the contrary, regular physical activity and strength training are beneficial for health and longevity.
But he warns that "outward appearance is not always an indicator of inner health."
Next, researchers plan to analyze the risk for female bodybuilders to see if they encounter similar problems to those of men. /Express newspaper/
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