According to researchers at the University of Padua, women competing professionally in bodybuilding face an unnaturally high risk of sudden cardiac death. The results of the study were published in the European Heart Journal (EHJ).
The researchers analyzed the medical data of nearly 9,500 women who participated in international bodybuilding competitions between 2005 and 2020. They found 32 deaths among athletes. About a third of them were related to sudden cardiac arrest.
This connection was especially pronounced among professional bodybuilders. their risk of cardiac death was more than 20 times higher than that of amateur athletes.
According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Marco Vechiato, extreme physical activity, chronic dehydration, strict diets and the use of stimulants create a significant burden on the cardiovascular system.
The psychological condition of athletes is also worrying. The study found that 13% of deaths among female bodybuilders were due to suicide or violence, four times more than among male bodybuilders.
The authors emphasize that striving for an ideal body can have serious health consequences. They call for stronger medical surveillance of bodybuilders and for monitoring programs to include regular cardiac examinations, even for young and apparently healthy athletes. Furthermore, experts recommend paying more attention to the psychosocial factors affecting high-level athletes.
Translation:Euromedia24.com-in:
