The Troubling Rise of Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Among Former National Football League Players
Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and eventually paralysis and death. The disease is progressive and currently, there is no cure. ALS has long been considered a rare disease, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States.
Over the past few years, there has been an increasing concern about the incidence of ALS among former NFL football players, leading to speculation about a potential link between the sport and the disease. Several theories have been proposed to explain this potential link. One theory suggests that repetitive head trauma, which is common in football, may increase the risk of developing ALS. Another theory suggests that the use of performance-enhancing drugs, which are also common in football, may be a contributing factor. However, it is important to note that these theories are still speculative, and more research is needed to establish a clear link between playing football and developing ALS. However, recent studies have suggested that there may be an increase in the incidence of ALS among former NFL players.
One of the most notable studies on this topic was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2012, which found that NFL players were 4 times more likely to die from ALS compared to the general population. The study analyzed the causes of death among 3,439 NFL players who were active between 1959 and 1988. The findings of this study raised concerns about the potential link between playing professional football and the increased risk of developing ALS.
Another study, published in the journal Neurology in 2012, further supported these concerns. This study examined the medical records of over 3,400 NFL players and found that they were 3 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS, compared to the general population. The researchers concluded that there was a clear association between playing in the NFL and the heightened risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
In 2016, a study published in JAMA Neurology analyzed the health records of 3,439 retired NFL players and found that they had a higher rate of mortality from neurodegenerative diseases compared to the general population. While this study did not specifically focus on ALS, it added further evidence to the growing body of research suggesting a link between playing football and the increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
In December 2021 in the journal Neurology, a study titled “Incidence of and Mortality from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in National Football League Athletes” was published. The researchers from Harvard University and Boston University’s CTE Center evaluated all 19,423 NFL athletes who played one or more games between 1960 and 2019, the largest study to date on the relationship between football and ALS. They found that NFL players are about four times more likely to die of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) than the general public. Of note, the researchers combed through public records on all the players between October 2020 and July 2021, including news reports, obituaries and NFL statistics. They found 38 players who received a diagnosis of ALS, of whom 28 had died of the disease.
These studies have raised concerns about the potential long-term health consequences of playing in the NFL. The repetitive head trauma and concussions that are common in football have been the subject of much scrutiny in recent years, with growing evidence linking them to neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and ALS. The physical demands of the sport, combined with the high-impact nature of the game, have led to questions about the potential long-term effects on players' health.
However, it is important to note that while these studies have highlighted a potential association between playing in the NFL and the increased risk of developing ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, more research is needed to fully understand this relationship. The complexity of ALS and the multifactorial nature of its etiology make it challenging to pinpoint the exact causes of the disease.
Moreover, while the studies have provided valuable insights, they also have limitations. The retrospective nature of the research and the reliance on medical records may introduce bias and confounding factors that could affect the findings. Additionally, the studies did not account for other potential risk factors for ALS, such as genetics and environmental exposures, which could have an impact on the results.
Further research is needed to better understand the potential relationship between playing in the NFL and the increased risk of developing ALS. Longitudinal studies that follow players over time and take into account various risk factors, including genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors, could provide more robust evidence on this topic. In addition, studying the mechanisms through which football-related head trauma and other factors may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases could provide valuable insights for preventing and treating these conditions.
In response to the growing concerns about the potential link between football and ALS, the NFL has taken several steps to address the issue. In 2010, the NFL partnered with the ALS Association to raise awareness about the disease and support research into its causes and potential treatments. The NFL has also implemented new rules and guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of head injuries among players, and has invested in research on the long-term health effects of playing football.
Despite these efforts, the potential link between football and ALS remains a topic of ongoing debate and research. Some experts argue that the increased incidence of ALS among former NFL players may simply be a result of the fact that football players are more likely to be physically active and therefore more likely to notice the early symptoms of the disease. Others argue that there may be a direct causal link between playing football and developing ALS, and that further research is needed to establish a clearer understanding of this potential relationship.
In the meantime, it is important to recognize that ALS is a complex disease with many possible risk factors, and that playing football is just one of several potential factors that may contribute to the development of the disease. It is also important to note that not all former NFL players develop ALS, and that the vast majority of ALS cases occur in individuals with no history of playing football.
While the potential link between football and ALS requires further study, it is important for players, coaches, and parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with playing football and to take steps to minimize those risks. This includes following proper safety protocols, seeking medical attention for head injuries, and being aware of the potential long-term health effects of participating in contact sports.
In conclusion, there is growing concern about the potential link between playing football and the incidence of ALS among former NFL players. While there is still much debate and uncertainty surrounding this issue, it is clear that more research is needed to establish a clearer understanding of the potential relationship between football and ALS. In the meantime, it is important for all individuals involved in the sport to remain vigilant about the potential risks and to take steps to minimize those risks.
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