A STUDY OF THE LONGEVITY AND MORBIDITY

OF TRACK ATHLETES AT
MlCHlGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Thesis far the Dear» a? M. A.
MICHRGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Huber? W. Olson
1956

2...... _

A STUDY OF THE LONGEVITY AND MORBIDITY OF TRACK
ATHLETES AT MICHIGAN STATE UNlVERSITY ‘

By
Herbert H. gleon

A THESIS

Submitted to the College of Education of Michigan State
University of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree 0!

MASTER OF ARTS
Department or Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

1956

 

 

Thomas Campbell
177h-18hh

The River of Life

The more we live, more brief appear
Our life's succeeding stages:
A day to childhood seems a year,

And years like passing ages.

Heaven gives our years of fading strength
Indemnifying fleetness;
And those of youth, a seeming length,

Proportion'd to their sweetness.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In acknowledgment of the guidance
and assistance so generously given me in
this research project by Dr. Henry J. Montoye
I wish to express my indebtedness and appre-
ciation. I am also grateful for the coopera-

tion and moral support given by Andrew J. Hudec.

 

1.

 

Sn}

 

I Dep

‘Dprox

 

A STUDY OF THE LONGEVITY AND MORBIDITY OF TRACK

ATHLETES AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

By
Herbert H. Olson

AN ABSTRACT

Submitted to the College of Education of Michigan State
University of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation

1956

  

 

Approved by I 1..

-v -_‘n.

 

Herbert W. Olson
Abstract 1

Statement 9; This study was completed for the purpose of
t_h_e Problem

comparing two groups of subjects: track
athletes who won letters during the years 1886 to 1937 and
non-athletes matched by years of attendance in college. The
comparisons were made on longevity, morbidity and other closely
related areas.
Methods and, The track athletes' names were located in
Procedures ~
the permanent records of letter winners at
the athletic office of Michigan State University. The non-
athletes' records were found in the files of the registrar.
The last-known addresses of both groups were obtained from
the alumni files.

A letter and questionnaire were sent to each track
athlete and non-athlete. To accelerate the number of returns,
two follow-up letters at intervals of four and six weeks were
also sent. There were 210 questionnaires returned by track
athletes and 165 questionnaires returned by non-athletes. A
coding system for entry of all information on I.B.M. cards
was devised. The information from the questionnaires was

punched into I.B.M. cards and was then analyzed using chi

square and critical ratio tests.

Literature 2E. The best studies completed in the area of
[Engevity
- longevity were those of Alan Rook1 (195A)

and Louis Dublin2’3 (1928, and 1932). In Book's study a,

’-

Herbert W. Olson
2

control group of non-athletes selected at random.were used.
The mean ages of death were not significantly different when
a comparison was made, but a group of intellectuals was
found to live two years longer than either the sportsmen or
non-sportsmen.

Louis Dublin, a foremost authority on longevity, made
two studies. One was completed in 1928 and the other in
1932. His first study used insurance statistics for his comp
parisons and made his study less valid. His second study was
more complete in that he used a control group of college non-
athletes. Dublin found little difference between sportsmen
and non-sportsmen, but the honor students were found to have
a longer length of life. Other studies in the area of longev-
ity used insurance statistics which did not give as valid com:

parisons as a group of control subjects at random,

Summary In the present study many statistically signifi-
cant differences in the data were obtained. Track
athletes were found to weigh.more during college. They also
had.a greater percentage serve in the armed forces with a
larger mean number of years in service. A greater proportion
of track athletes drink alcohol than do non-athletes. Track
athletes have more living brothers, and a greater number of
deceased sisters. More of the non-athletes are of the Opinion
'that athletics are harmful. Distribution of causes of death

:for grandparents shows that there are more deaths due to heart

.-. “I

-—_._. .- -_..—

Herbert W. Olson
3

ailments among paternal grandparents of the non-athletes
than of the athletes.

There were some trends that were not statistically
significant but were of some interest. The track athlete
showed no significant difference in mean age of death.

The number of accidental deaths occurred at an earlier age
than those of the non-athletes. Track athletes seem to

have come from larger families. The economic status of
both groups improved slightly after college. Track athletes
appear to use more tobacco when a comparison was made. It
was observed that the mean age of death for parents and I

grandparents of the non-athletes is slightly higher.

References

1. Book, Alan, "An Investigation into the Longevitg of
Cambridge Sportsmen," British.Medical Journal, h 6

7733777, April, 19Sh. -.

2. Dublin, Louis I., ”Longevity of College Athletes,"
Harpers Monthly M azine, 157: 229-238, 1928. -

.3. Dublin, Louis I.,' ”College Honor Men Long-lived,”
Statistical Bulletin of the Metropolitan Life Insurance

 

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I. INTRODUCTION .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Statement of the Problem .

Importance of the Study .

Limitations

9 II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .

III. METHODS OF PROCEDURE

Introduction .
Questionnaire .
Athletes .
Non-Athletes .

Methods Used in Mailing Questionnaires and

Follow-up Letters
Tabulation of Results
Statistical Analysis

0 O O O O O O O 0

IV. RESULTS, INTERPRETATION, AND ANALYSIS OF THE
DATA 0‘. 0 .~. 0 O O O

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS . .

Summary .
Conclusions .
Recommendations

IEIELIOGRAPHI .

iv

PAGE

F'UJNN

28
28
28
29
3O

31
32
32

31+
5 9

59
61

62
61L

«I' . .u f-k‘. ".' ‘0’

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)

PAGE

APPENDIX A. QUESTIONNAIRES . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
B. LETTER SENT wITE QUESTIONNAIRE . . . . . 68

C. FIRST FOLLoweUP LETTER . . . . . . . . 69

D. SECOND POLLow—UP'LETTER . . . . . . . . 7O

TABLE

I.

II.

III .

IV.

V.

VII.
VIII.

III.
XIII .

XIV.

LIST OF TABLES

PAGE

A Comparison between the Actual and Expected Deaths
of E?“ Letter Winners 1855-1905 (From Anderson,
191 . e e e e e e e e

Deaths'among Yale Graduates, as Compared with E1-
pected Deaths of American Men Ultimate Table
1905-1923 (From Greenway and Hiscock, 1926) . . .

Comparison of Cricketers with General Male
Population (From Hill, 1927) e e e e e e e e e 0

Comparison ofAmateurs and PrOfessionals (From
Hill, 1927) O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0

Percent Actual of Expected Deaths According to
American Men Table (From DUblin, 1928) e e e e 0

Percent Actual of Expected Deaths According to
Anerican Men Table (From Dublin, 1928)

Expectation of Life (From Dublin, 1932), . . . . .

Longevity of Oxford and Cambridge Oarsmen Compared
to Insurance Tables (From Hartley and Llewellyn,

1939)

Statistics on Causes of Death of Soccer Players
(From Van Mervenne, 1914.1)

.-....-...OO.. 0......

A Comparison of Non-Athletes and Athletes Mean
Age of Death (From Schmid, 1952)

Death Causes in'Percentages for sportsmen and
Controls (From.Rook, 195A)

Mean.Ages of Track Athletes and.Non-Ath1etes Living
and Deceased

Ages and Causes of Death of Track Athletes and
Non-Athlete s

Present State of Health of Track Athletes and
Non-Athletes

vi

11

12

13

17

22

2h

26

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ee_000000000000000035

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 O 36

XVII.

XVIII.

XIII.
XXIII.

XXIV:

IXIVII.

IXINIII.

LIST OF TABLES (Cont.)

PAGE
The weights of Track Athletes and Non-Athletes e . 37

Marital Status of Track Athletes and Non-Athletes
L1Ving and Daceafled e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 38

The Mean Hours Spent in Vocational and Avocational
Activities in the Years After College by Track
Athletes and NODPAthlBtes e e e e e e e e e e e e 39

Military Service Experience of Track Athletes and
NOD-Athletes e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e kl

The Economic Status of Track Athletes and Non-
Athletes During and After College . . . . . . . . #3

A Comparison Between Track Athletes and Non-
Athletes in.Use of Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . AA

A Comparison of the Amounts of Tobacco Used by
Track Athletes and Non-Athletes . . . . . . . . . R5

A Comparison of the Types of Tobacco Used by the
Track.Ath1etes and Non-Athletes . . . . . . . . . AS

Diseases of Track.Athletes and NonpAthletes
. During and After ChildhOOd e e e e e e e e e e e ”7

Other Diseases Reported by Track Athletes and
NODP‘tthtOB e e e e e 0.0 e e e e e e e e e e 0 he

The Percent Living and the Mean Age at Death of
the Parents for Track Athletes and Non-Athletes . A9

Mban Age at Death or the Maternal and Paternal

Grandparents e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 50
I

The Mean Number of Brothers and Sisters for Track
Athletes and Non-Athletes . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Ailments of Mothers and.Fathers of Track Athletes
‘nd NOD-AthletOI e e e e e e e 0-. e e e e e e e 52

The Causes of’Death of Mothers and Fathers of
Tr‘ck.‘th10t°8 and NOnPAthlatQI e e e e e e e e e 53

vii

LIST OF TABLES (Cont.)

TABLE PAGE

xxx. The Causes of Death of Maternal Grandparents of
Track Athletes and NODPAthletOB e e e e e e e e Sh

XIII. The Causes of’Death of Paternal Grandparents of
Track Athletes and Non-Athletes . . . . . . . . 55

XXIII. The Opinion of Track Athletes and Non-Athletes

on Whether Athletics are Harmful or Beneficial
to Competitor! 0 e e e 0-. e e e e e e e e e e 5?

viii

 

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE

1. Graph of Mean Hours Spent in Vocational and
Avocational Activities by Track Athletes and
Non-Athletes..e..............l(.0

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

This country has always held the basic premise that
competition is the essence of the business and sports worlds.
The American way of life emphasizes this idea, and has brought
about a keener interest in all areas of athletics. The
schools of our country are now including athletics in their
programs to a far greater extent than they had previously.
Grade schools are beginning to produce teams for inter-school
competition in numerous sports. This development of athletic
teams from the lower grades to the college level has cost a
great deal of time and money. Many educators of today are
not in agreement with the idea that this intensive develop-
ment of athletic programs is worth the time and expense for,
the returns that are forthcoming. Critics have indicated
numerous times the great number of athletes who have died
early in life, implying that athletics, and athletic training
are the cause of these deaths. These accusations are in no
way to be considered trivialities. All areas of sports must

be thoroughly investigated to determine whether this line of

I.‘

reasoning is of any merit.

Statement The present study has been carried on for the
9; Problem

purpose of procuring and comparing information
on the Longevity, Morbidity and other closely related areas
of a group of varsity track athletes, and a comparable age
group of college non-athletes. The Track Athletes that were
used are varsity letter winners from the years 1886 to 1937.
The group of non-athletes were analogous in that they also
attended Michigan State University in comparable years. These
non-athletes were picked at random from the registrar's student
directories.

L“

Importance A study of Longevity and Morbidity of athletes
g; the §tudy

 

holds some importance in the future of athletics.

People are beginning to wonder if there aren't too many
harmful effects from sports and athletic training. Very little
good research has been completed to produce evidence for either
aspect of this question. Every authentic study completed in
these areas may clarify many of these questions which have
been forthcoming from the critics of athletics.

The conclusions of this study may have some effect on
training programs and future trends in sports. This study
may well be another objective reached in an endeavor to dis-
cover information for the purpose of making sound conclusions

on the length of life of athletes as compared to non-athletes.

Limitations The limitations of this study are as follows:

1. The questionnaire was made up by the Phi Epsilon
Kappa fraternity's committee on Longevity, and in some instances
the questions were ambiguous.

2. Many of the relatives of deceased athletes and non-
athletes could not complete certain areas of the questionnaire
because they lacked this information.

3. In the process of picking out non-athletes in a ran-
dom.stratified sampling, some of these former students were
from foreign countries or had moved to areas outside the con-
tinental United States. These subjects were a little more
lax in their replies to the questionnaire and to the follow-up
letters.

A. In the process of mailing questionnaires and follow-
up letters there could have been a few letters that were not
forwarded to subjects who had moved to new locations, thus
limiting the number of responses.

5. This study could bring out some conclusions that may
differ with other Universities' findings due to environmental
conditions, different methods uSed in training and program
planning.

6. The results of this thesis, as in most questionnaire
studies, contained a certain number of bias answers due to the

fact that all the responses are on a subjective basis.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The length of life that the populace may expect to reach
is of great interest to people in all walks of life. Particu-
larly interesting are the expected longevity and morbidity
figures of the athlete. Numerous opinions have been voiced
on the subject with a great deal of feeling, seemingly, op-
posed to athletics. This, however, is not accepted as true
fact because there has been a number of studies completed
which hail athletics as beneficial to the people who partici-
pate.

One of the first Studies of this nature was completed
in 1893 by John E. Morgan.1 In Morgan's study, a comparison
was made between the calculated longevity of oarsmen from.the
years 1829 to 1859, and the English Life tables of those times.
-The comparison appeared to be in favor of the oarsmen by a
mean average of two more years of life. This was a step in
the right direction, but due to the method of comparison, this
study cannot be taken as positive proof of the superiority of

the athlete in longevity. Morgan used a group of selected

 

1J. E. Morgan, "Critical Inquiry Into the After-Health
of the Men Who Rowed in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
from.the Year 1829-1859," University Oars, p. 300, 1873, cited
by P. V. Korpovich, "Longevity and Athletics,” Research Quar-
terl , Vol. 12, (May l9hl), pp. h51-55.

athletes and computed their longevity in groups of eight,
presuming that this could be done with accuracy in such a
small group. He then compared them to an English Life table
based on the mortality of the general populace. This in it-
self draws criticism, because a comparison of a selected group
of athletes as against the longevity of the general popula-
tion is not justifiable as a good comparison.

Meylan's2 study of "Harvard University Oarsmen" was the
next research project of this nature to be completed. In
this study Meylan selected 152 oarsmen from the years 1852
to 1892 inclusive. The data were collected by a personal in-
terview or with the help of the family physician. The infor-
mation sought was the length of life and the causes of death
of this group. The selected group of athletes had 123 of
their number still living on November 1, 1902. In his com-
parison of longevity, Meylan used the American Experience
Tables of Mortality, and it seemed that a healthy young ath-
lete of 20 years could expect to live h2.2 more years. Ac-
cording to Meylan's tables, the oarsmen lived 2.88 years in
excess of expected mortality table figures. If the normal
expectation of life for those oarsmen that were killed by
wars and accidents had been added to the figure of 2.88 an
increase to a mean of 5.09 years for each athlete would have

been recorded.

 

2George L. Meylan, "Harvard University Oarsmen," Harvard
Graduates Magazine 9: 115-12h, March, l90h.

In the causes of death of the deceased athletes of this
study only 22 of the 32 were known. The list of these causes
is as follows: six in Civil War; two in accidents; two with
heart disease; three with pneumonia; two with apoplexy; one
with paresis; one with cancer; one with consumption; two
with Bright's disease; one of alcoholism, and one by a tropi-
cal climate.

Meylan did not believe that rowing was a Significant
factor for any cause of death in his study. He further thought
' that rowing was a benefit to competing oarsmen.

A study of the longevity of Yale athletes by William
G. Anderson,3 a Director and Professor at the Yale Gymnasium,
was completed in 1916. Dr. Anderson secured his information
on a group of 880 Yale athletes from the files of the College
Publication Obituary.

Anderson presents his data in Table I on the number of
deaths and their distribution among four sports during a
fifty-year span from 1855 to 1905. Table I also presents a
fairly clear picture of the ratio of expected deaths to actual
deaths, and this information is based on the statistical
tables of insurance companies from those same years. The
author states, as shown by the table, that Yale letter winners

do not die younger than the general population. He also

 

3William G. Anderson, "Further Studies in the Longevity
of Yale Athletes," Mind and Body, 23: 37h-378, December, 1916.

 

 

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contends that the letter winners may not owe this extra long
life to athletics.

The causes of death among athletes in this study were
as follows: twelve had consumption; six had pneumonia; five
had typhoid; two had typhoid pneumonia; four drowned; four
had heart failure, and five were unknown. The other twenty
deaths were each of a different cause.

Anderson concludes that lung trouble and heart disease
were the greatest causes of death, but the percentage from
these causes was no greater for the athlete than for the non-
athlete.

Greenway and HiscockLL completed a study in 1926 on
"Mortality Among Yale Men," and in their study, a group of
686 lettermen and a group of 9,h21 non-letter men were studied
for their length of life and causes of death. The athletes
that were picked as subjects had won their letters during the
years 190h to 1923. This excluded any of the athletes that
were used in the study by Anderson. The information on the
deaths among both groups can be discerned in Table II.

The mortalities that were caused by war injuries are
50 percent higher among the athletes than among the non-
athlete subjects in this study. The authors further presented

information that the athletes have one more man per thousand

 

”James C. Greenway, and Ira V. Hiscock, "Mortality Among
Yale Men," Yale Alumni Weekly, 35: 1806-8, June, 1926.

TABLE II

DEATHS AMONG YALE GRADUATES, AS COMPARED WITH EXPECTED
DEATHS OF AMERICAN MEN ULTIMATE TABLE, 1905 - 1923
(GRADUATES WHOSE DEATHS WERE DUE TO WAR INJURIES EXCLUDED)
(FROM GREENWAY AND HISCOCK, 1926)

 

 

Number Expected.Deaths Ratio of Actual

 

Groups of by American Men to Expected
Deaths Ultimate Table Deaths
Non "Y" Men 317 381 83%
”Y” Men 27 29 93%
All Graduates 3AA R10 8h%

 

 

dying than the non-athletes. This might lead people to believe
that non-athletes from college live longer than athletes, but
Greenway and Hiscock point out that this percentage of war
deaths account for that figure. The evidence presented is in-
terpreted by the authors as being attributable to the athletic
type having a greater abundance of physical energy and natural
courage which causes them to endanger themselves by undue
risks.

The limited number of subjects used in this study could
not establish enough conclusive evidence to assure the validity
of the information. It does Seem that in all these studies it

might be fairly easy to conclude that college athletes and non-

 

10

athletes seem to live longer than the general populace in-
volved in the insurance tables statistics.

The study that was completed by Bradford Hill5 in 1927
on "Cricket and Its Relation to the Duration of Life" was an
investigation of 3,h2h cricket players from.0xford, Cambridge
and other English counties. The data was taken from the 1926
"Wisden's Cricketers Almanac" which devoted one whole section
to biographical information on first class cricketers that
were born between 1800 and 1888. Hill divided this group of
athletes into two groups. The cricketers born between 1800-
18u9, and those born between 1850-1888. He then compared
each of these groups with an English Life Table for those
same years. The information on these comparisons is eluci-
dated in Table III. The figures show a distinct advantage
in favor of the cricketers all through the tables. This
may not be quite correct because of certain errors that could
be the fault of the almanac death records.

Hill's study also compares in Table IV the amateur
cricketers and professional cricketers.

JThe figures in the table indicate that the amateur athlete
shows a longer length of life, and according to the author,
these amateurs could have had an easier life in a greater number

of cases. There are a great number of causes that could affect

 

“—7

A. Bradford Hill, ”Cricket and Its Relation to the Dura-
tion of Life," Lancet, 2: 9h9-950, 1927.

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12

this study, such as, amount of participation, length of parti-

cipation and social background.

TABLE IV
COMPARISON OF AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS
(FROM HILL, 1927)

 

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Exposed to No. Amateurs Exposed to No. Professionals

 

ass as main 2:2: 1;. egg Essa?
Who Died Who Died

25 1705 nos 993 36*

30 1676 52 980 65

35 1637 63 957 99 I

no 1539 7a 890 118

as 1328 99 766 130

50 1122 139 625 1&6

 

 

 

* indicates the number who died within 10 years out of
1,000 cemmencing-at each age.

The most noted authority on length of life is probably
Louis I. Dublin, who in 1928 published an article on the "Lon-

gévity of College Athletes."6

In this study the author exam-
ined the records of u,976 lettered athletes from ten Eastern

Universities. These athletes were separated into different

 

6Louis I. Dublin, ”Longevity of College Athletes,"
Harpers Monthly Ma azine, 157: 229-238, 1928.

13

sports, and the totals for each sport were: baseball 1,111;
crew S76; football 1,233; track 1,076; two or more sports

822; and minor sports 158. Table V with information on the
percentage of actual to expected deaths of athletes gives a

brief analysis of a segment of Dublin's study.

TABLE V

PERCENT ACTUAL OF EXPECTED DEATHS
ACCORDING TO AMERICAN MEN TABLE
(FROM DUBLIN, 1928)

 

Sport Under AS Over AS
Baseball 108.1 93.9
Crew 107.9 89.2
Football 88.? 87.9
Track .97.8 82.9
Two or more sports 8A.? 71.9
All sports 96.0 88.5

 

 

This table shows a slightly high.mortality under AS
years of age for certain sports, but this condition seems to
change for the better after hS years of age. A table which
gives an interesting concept of what the mortality depicts
for different year groupings is illustrated in Table VI.

 

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TABLE VI

PERCENT ACTUAL 0F EXPECTED DEATHS ACCORDING
TO AMERICAN MEN TABLES
(FROM DUBLIN, 1928)

 

 

S orts All Classes Classes Classes Classes
p Classes Prior to 1880-1889 1890-1899 1900-1909
Combined 1880

 

All sports 91.5 9u.1 9h.6 93.6 72.6
combined

Baseball 98.0 98.6 97.8 103.1 81.h

Crew 9A.1 92.2 72.1 12R.o 113.u

Football 88.3 87.6 9h.7 91.6 63.h

Track 91.8 ---- 121.7 86.6 73.0

Two or more

sports 78.3 85.8 80.8 81.0 62094

 

 

The findings of these tables are seriously hampered by
a comparison of longevity of athletes to insurance statistics
as has been done in so many of the previous studies. The dif-
ferences in percentages of expected deaths of the various
sports for these groupings show baseball to be the highest in
mmst classes. This would be hard to explain because baseball
is not as strenuous as many of the other sports. Dublin also
points out that the low percentage of death for athletes in
two or more sports might be caused by their being in better
physical condition and staying in this condition longer than

single sport men.

15

The results of another study were published in 1929 by

7 on "The Causes of Death in Gymnastics and

F. W. Bickert
Sports Clubs.” The author sent out a total of 2,000 question;
naires to relatives and sports clubs of deceased athletes.

The number of returns from.this effort was #00 questionnaires
and only 26A of these were useful in the statistical analysis.
The breakdown of this group was 32 rowers, 232 gymnasts, and
sportsmen.

In causes of death, tuberculosis seemed to affect the
athletes less than the general population. Whether this was
caused by the sports themselves, or the selection of athletes
is not known. The diseases of the vascular system, which inn
eluded heart diseases, were more prominent in athletes than
the general population. Bickert's study was not as complete
as other studies that did a comparative analysis on sbmilar
type of data.

The longevity of Army officers was studied in 1931 by
Reed and Love.8 These authors found that due to careful selec-
tion, army officers seem to have greater longevity than male

white civilians. The athletes in this group of 5,021 studied

 

7F. W. Bickert, ”Einfluss, des Wettkampfmassig Betriebenen
Sports Auf die Lebensdauer und Todeswisache," Deutsche
Medizinisch‘Wochenschrift, 55: 23-5, 1929.

8Lowell J. Reed and Albert G. Love, "Longevity of Army
Officers in Relation to Physical Fitness,” The Military Sur son,
69: 379-385, October, 1931.

16

were found to be slightly longer lived than the average per-
sonnel of the group. The men who won letters at West Point
had approximately .25 to 1.25 years greater life expectancy
than other West Pointers studied, and other athletes lived
about five years longer than the football players.

A more thorough report on longevity was completed by
Dublin9 in 1932. In this study the author used not only more
and better comparisons for the group of athletes, but an
inner comparison between different types of college graduates.
The data were gathered from.the life history of 38,269 gradu-
ates of eight Eastern colleges between the years 1870 - 1905.
There were 6,500 honor students in this group as well as 5,000
athletes from.ten universities and colleges. Table VII shows
that the expectation of longer life for college graduates is
better for the non-sportsman group than for the athletic
group. The honor men had a much better life expectancy than
either of the other college groups. Mortality in New Zealand
is lower than that of the college honor men as shown by the
table. Dublin thinks that this longer length of life of honor
men could possibly be caused by the need for good physical

condition, as well as, mental fitness to be a scholar.

 

9Louis I, Dublin, ”College Honor Men Long-Lived,"
Statistical Bulletin of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Comp

pany, I3: 5-7, AugustT—l932.

17

 

 

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18

Cooper, O'Sullivan and Hughes10 in 1937 studied a group
of 100 oarsmen for the late effects of vigorous exercise. The
group did their rowing between 1885 and 1905 for Ormand College.
The number of deaths in this group was twenty-four, of which
seventeen died of natural causes, and seven died of war injur-
ies. The death of twenty-four athletes compared to 38.8 of
the general male population designates a lower mortality rate
for the oarsmen.

The study by Knoll11 in 1938 was a counter-action against
dubious claims made in medical works about longevity in cars-
men without scientific basis. The results of this inquiry
into the records of 880 oarsmen, who rowed in the Oxford-
Cambridge races, were very enlightening. The average age of
death of the participants was 56.1 years. This average would
have been much higher had the cases of premature death been
subtracted that were due to causes other than those that may
have been influenced by athletic training. The 155 deaths in-
cluded eight infectious diseases, seventeen tropical diseases,
twelve accidents and forty—five war casualties, or over one-

half of the total mortalities. There was no comparison with

 

loEric L. Cooper, John O'Sgllivan, and E. Hughes, "Athletics
and the Heart: An Electrocardiographic and Radiological Study
of the Responses of the Healthy and Diseased Heart to Exercise,"
Medical Journal 9; Australia, 1: 569-579, 1937.

11W’. Knoll, ”Welches Lebensalter Erreichen die Ruderer von
Oxford-Cambridge?” (What Age Can the Members of the Oxford
Rowing Team Expect to Reach) Medizinische Klinik, 3h: h6h-h66,

1938.

19

any other standard life tables, or a similar group of college
non-atheletes as subjects.

Another study on the oarsmen from Oxford and Cambridge
was completed in 1939 by Hartley and Llewellyn.12 The informa-
tion that was used in this study was gained through the Offi-
cial Centenary History of the University Boatmen. The oarsmen
that were studied had competed in 80 races between 1829 and
1928. There were A31 oarsmen who had died by the end of 1928,
and this group was used in the statistics of the study. The
data were compared to a table of expected deaths to give a
better view of the results that were attained.

In Table VIII, four sets of insurance tables were used
which was an improvement from.the previous method because of
the increased longevity through the years.

The use of standard tables is not a fair comparison, but
this method used by Harley and Llewellyn is better than using
one mortality table for this range of ages. The authors men-
tion that it would be better to use fellow graduates as a
comparison of life expectancy.

A study of the causes of death of 100 soccer players
was completed in l9ul by C. J. Van Mervenne.13 This study

 

12Percival Herton-Smith Hartley, and Geoffrey F. Llewellyn,
"A Study of Those Who Rowed in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat
Race from.1829 to 1928," British Medical Journal, 1: 57-662,

April, 1939. \j

13C. J. Van Mervenne, "Life Span of Athletes,” Nederlandsch
gydschrift Voor Genesskunde, 85: 535-5k3, 19ul.

20

9 TABLE -VIII

LONGEVITY OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE OARSMEN
COMPARED TO INSURANCE TABLES
(FROM HARTLEY AND LLEWELLYN, 1939)

 

 

 

ExpectedeDeaths Actual as Per-

‘3° Group Actual Deaths by Standard Table centage of Expected

 

PERIOD I: 1829-62 Standard.Morhdity Table HM

Up to 50 22 25.2 87.3
51 - 70 1 1.0 100.0
Over 70 -- -- --
£11 A828 33 2.6:. 2_ _87;8

PERIOD 11:1863-93 Standard Mortality Table OM

Up to So 53 62.1 85.3
51 to 70 39 59.8 65.2
Over 70 18 21.6 83,3
9U@__@____J@i____j@___
PERIOD III: 189A~1923 Standard Table Mean OM and A 1928-9
UP to 50' ' 32* 80.7 78.6
51 - 70 85 98.0 86.7
Over 70 108 125.8 85.9
111 Ages 225 26L.5 85.1

PERIOD Iv: 1928-8 Standard.Mortality TableJA 192h~9

Up to so ' 3 3.8 88.2
51 - 70 13 13.2 98.5
Over 70 20 21.9 91.3
.All Ages 36 38.5 93.5

 

fl

TRxcluding 37 Great War deaths.

21

showed the age at death and the cause of death for soccer
athletes. Heart disease and circulatory attacks seem.to'be
the greatest cause of death among this group killing kl sotcer
players out of the 100 men in the group. The information on
all the causes of death of this group of soccer players is in
Table IX.

In 19Hh, a study of mortality was completed on basket-
ball players from the state high school finals of Indiana.1h
This research was done by Wakefield to perceive what compari-
son there was between high school basketball players, and the
mortality rate of the general population. The record of bas-
ketball players that competed in the state tournaments from
1911 to 1935 were taken from files of Indiana High School
Athletic Association. The age and cause of death omeost
of these players were found in the State Board of Health re-
cords, cemetery records and morticians records. The final
number of subjects was 2,919 basketball players, and among
this group, there were 123 actual deaths. The expected deaths
as taken from.death rates of the general population was 181.1,
which was 67.9 percent of actual deaths to expected deaths.

Among the group that died, the causes of death were:
external violence 3h.1 percent; cardiovascular-renal diseases

16.3 percent; tuberculosis of all types 13.8 percent; pneumonia

 

1""Mark C. Wakefield, "A Study of Mortality Among the Men
Who Have Played in the Indiana High School State Final Basket-
ball Tournaments," Research Quarterly, 15: 2-11, 1988.

22

TABLE IX

STATISTICS ON CAUSES OF DEATH OF SOCCER PLAYERS

(FROM VAN MERVENNE, 1981)

Haves

esesoo Has

.mmmwuxwm

snow saben
oases

hash:
enemas
unoapoomQH
ouoz one am
mGOHpsabea

ddsoedonm

nemsoman
.nm cad undom

msaaaexm

hHOBEHsoado
axosppd

mauoasononsa

soauooms
ease

Ages

 

17
20

15-20

21-25

26-30

13

31-35
36-u0

hl-hs
k6-50

51-55

0

0

56 and over

20 A, A 9 S u 3 100

9

11 10 21

Total

 

 

23

and influenza 10.6 percent. These percentages were favorable
except for cardiovascular-renal and external causes. These
were in favor of the general populace.

The basketball player that played in one, two or three
games in a day all seem to live longer than the expected
death rate. The fourteen, fifteen and sixteen-year olds who
played in the tournaments had a better life expectancy than
the seventeen, eighteen and nineteen year olds; 5h.2 percent
to 78.9 percent respectively. The general conclusion was in
favor of the basketball players as compared to United States
Life Tables.

Schmid15 in 1952 published an article on the length of
life of MOO former sportsmen from.Bohemia and Moravia who
had at least ten years of sports competition. The athletes
who were killed during the first and second world wars were
omitted from the study. The ages reached by these athletes
were: cyclists 6u.83 years; competitors in apparatus work
58.53 years; oarsmen 5h.66 years; swimmers 53.67 years; track
and field athletes 52.50 years; football players 50.93 Years;
tennis player 50.6u years, and heavy-weight athletes h6.8u
years. The mean age of all the athletes was 5h.72 years, but
when the number that died of external violence was subtracted,

the mean age is 57.81 years. The author compares this group

 

13L. Schmid, "How Long the Sportsmen Live,” Sport and
Health, (Oslo, Norway: Published by Royal Norwegian Ministry
0? Education, 1952), pp. 100-109.

of athletes with a group of non-athletes from the population

in the table below.

TABLE I

A COMPARISON OF NON-ATHLETES AND ATHLETES
MEAN AGE OF DEATH
(FROM SCHMID, 1952)

 

 

 

Year of Non-Athlete Athlete

Birth Mean Age Mean Age
1861.1870 58.2k 66.90
1871-1880 60.28 61.72

 

 

The author found that the influence of marriage proved
interesting. The athletes had a ratio of 8:1 of married men
to unmarried men. The mean age of the deceased married
athlete was 57.15 years, while the mean age of the deceased
unmarried athletes was h2.17 years. Removing all those who
had met death by external violence, the mean ages are 57.90
years and h8.80 years. This was still in favor of the married
athletes. This could be caused by a number of athletes dying
of all causes before having a chance to marry.

The latest and, one of the best, studies in this area of

longevity was published in the British Medical Journal by Dr.

A '4 Q LEA-‘b

V'w‘asr- -.-‘ ..

 

-W"‘r

25

Alan Rook,16

1958.

A group of 83A Cambridge sportsmen were chosen to be in-

Senior Health Officer at Cambridge University

vestigated and information on 772 was secured. The control
group numbered 761 men, and information on 710 was obtained.
In this group of 710 there were 37h intellectuals, and the
other 336 were chosen at random.

The mean age at death of all sportsman and control groups,
excluding those deaths due to war and accidents, are as fol-
lows: Random.Control 67.k3 years; Intellectual Control 69.ul
years; and Sportsmen 67.97 years. This study is very similar
to Dublin's study published in 1932 on athletes, graduates
and honor students.17 Rook's study also shows the mean ages
of deaths of individual sports. Track and Field men have a
mean age of 67.41 years; Cricketers 68.13 years; Rowers 67.08
years; and Rugby Footballers 68.8h years at death. Another
interesting area of this study was the difference in the age
at death between the heavy and light-weighted men. The author
divided each sport according to the weights of the sportsmen,
and then found the mean age of death for light group was 68.h6
years, and the heavy group was 66.73 years. The difference is
slight, but it seems to be a trend that light-weight people

live longer than heavy-weight people.

 

16Alan Rook, ”An Investigation into the Longevity of Cambridge
Sportsmen," British Medical Journal, A865: 773-777, April, 195k.

17Dublin, 1932, 32. cit., pp. 5-7.

1"?

 

26

The causes of death in Rock's study are in Table XI.
The number of intellectuals listed as suicide is less than

.01 percent, and according to Rook, was due to chance.

TABLE XI

DEATH CAUSES IN PERCENTAGES FOR SPORTSMEN AND CONTROLS
(FROM ROOK, 1958)

 

 

Track
Diseases and Cricketers Rowing Rugby Intellec- Random
Field tuals

(110) (991 (130) (100) . (172) (182)

 

 

 

 

Infection 11.8 1h.l 1h.6 16.0 11.7 16.2
Pneumonia and '

brODChitis 60“ 13.1 8.” 8.0 8.2 1005
Cardiovascular

conditions 360” 3702 31.5 “200 3909 #105
Neoplasms 13.6 10.1 18.h 12.0 12.3 12.8
Genito-urinary

diseases 5.5 7.0 h.6 h.0 8.2 7.1
Accidents and

war deaths 13.6 9.1 10.8 800 he? 7.0
Senility 309 501 3.8 3.0 éeu 208
Suicide 009 100 -" 300 #01 -'-
Miscellaneous 7.9 3.3 7.9 h.0 h.5 2.1

18

Verginella made a'study in 195A and in his research

found that upon examination of the data, there had been no

 

18A. Verginella, ”Sulla Rarita Del Suicido Negli Sportivi
Practicanti, Medicino Sportiva, 8: ABS-M92, November, 195M.

27

cases of suicide among athletes in Trieste. This induced
Verginella to believe that sportsmen are comparatively health-

ier mentally than the non-athlete.

28

CHAPTER III
METHODS OF PROCEDURE

Introduction The results of studies that have been completed

in the areas of longevity and morbidity of
athletes from.many different regions of the world, have been
presented in the preceding chapters to Show what has been com-
pleted to date. The explanation of the procedure that was
used in picking the subjects, and the methods used in sending
questionnaires, follow-up letters, and tabulating of this data
will be explained in this chapter. There will be an explana-
tion of what statistical analysis will be used to clarify the
results Obtained in this study.

Questionnaire The questionnaire that was utilized in this
survey was developed by a committee from.the
Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity for the purpose of investigating
longevity and morbidity on a national basis (see Appendix A).
Many different colleges and universities all over the country
were to survey their athletes with this questionnaire to gain
greater insight into these problems. The questionnaires were
of two types: one for the athlete, and one for the non-athlete.
The difference in the questionnaires was concerned with the
general sports history of the athlete. There is a section on

each questionnaire for a relative to fill in all the information

 

29

that could be found on a deceased subject. Some of the areas

covered in the questionnaire are:

1.
2.
3.
u.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Athletes

Weights at graduation and the present time.
Marital status.

Present state of health.

Athletic and general sports history of the athlete. [

Activity during adult life, excluding playing parti-

Hx .i‘.\r:.&

cipation in sports.

Military service.

III—W n1¢ii* _
'1

Economic status from early childhood through adult life.
Medical history.
Smoking and drinking habits.

Hereditary history.

The track athletes included in this thesis have

all earned a major letter in track at Michigan

State sometime between 1886 and 1937. A permanent record of

all athletes that earned letters at Michigan State is kept in

the official files in the ticket office at Jenison Gymnasium.

The information that was collected includes: (1) name and

most recent address with the last date at this address; (2)

the sport at which the athlete competed for his major award;

(3) the year or years when these letters were won; and (A)

the date of graduation, or the date of departure from.school.

The next step was a double check on the addresses Of the

athletes. This second check was made from.the official files

30

of the Alumni Office. These files keep an address of all
persons who have graduated, or attended Michigan State. They
also keep a record of the deceased alumni, and their last
address. Many times their wives had attended Michigan State
and had an address that could be used in contacting someone
to fill out the questionnaire. A questionnaire was sent out
to the last address listed by either the Alumni Office or the
Ticket Office. The words "Please Forward" were typed on each

letter to make sure every effort was made to contact the sub-

“Wars—2x“
'1

ject or a close relative.

Non-athletgg To make a better comparison between athletes
and non-athletes, a group of college non-
athletes were selected rather than using a set of insurance
statistics which would compare a group of college men with
the general populace. This group of college non-athletes
was selected from the registration rolls in the Administration
Office. A stratified random sampling was ,utilized to make
the comparison more accurate. A non-athlete was chosen as a
control for each athlete from.the first year that a major
letter was won. This means an athlete who won a letter as a
sophomore had a sophomore non-athlete chosen as a control for
the study.- In picking these controls from.the registration
catalogues, a subject was chosen by selecting every fifteenth

name. If this control happened to be a girl, the next man on

31

this list was taken. The same procedure was used in finding
the correct addresses for the control group as had been done

with the athletes.

Methods Used in. The addresses of all these athletes and
MailingrQuestion-

naires and Follow-gp controls were typed on envelopes. A
Letters

 

questionnaire, a return envelope and a

letter were sent explaining the type of project in which they

would be participating (see Appendix B). This letter explahled

the possible importance this study could have on the future
of sports and athletes.

The questionnaires that were returned were placed in a
file in alphabetical order, and the letters that were returned
with incorrect addresses, or no forwarding address were re-
checked to see if a mistake in typing, or a mistake in recording
had been made. The letters that had been found in error were
retyped with the proper address and name and re-sent to the
subjects.

Four weeks after the questionnaires were mailed, a follow-
up letter was sent out in an endeavor to remind the subjects
that they/had not as yet sent in their questionnaire (see
Appendix C). In a further attempt to get more returns, a second
follow-up letter was sent out two weeks after the first follow-
up letter to those subjects failing to answer the previous cor-

respondence (see Appendix D). This whole process did a great

as? h} v—flh

 

32

\

deal to bring about a better percentage of replies to the
questionnaires.

There were 361 questionnaires sent out to the athletes,
and the same number for the non-athletes. The athletes re-
turned 210 questionnaires for a 57.6 percent return, and the
non-athletes returned 165 questionnaires for a h5.3 percent
return. The post office returned unopened, 63 questionnaires
for the athletes, and 90 questionnaires for the non-athletes.
This would raise the percentage of returns for the athletes

and non-athletes to 69.7 percent and 60.2 percent respectively.

Tabulation The questionnaires were all alphabetized and
2f,Results

then numbered so the information could easily
be tabulated in the correct area on the I.B.M. sheets. A
coding system was devised for ease in recording this informa-
tion. The data was then punched on I.B.M. cards. This would
bring about a better statistical analysis of the results. A.
groupcf 75 tables were devised to procure the information/that
was to be dealt with in the comparison between the athletes

and the controls.

Statistical The statistical analysis of part of these data
Analysis

was made by using the critical ratio as a measure
of significance. This was a ratio of the differences between

the athlete and the non-athlete, divided by the probable error

. "F,

 

-—-—v

33

of that difference. The critical ratio is the technique that
was used on all quantitative data in this study.

The qualitative data were analyzed by the use of Chi-
Square. This method of analysis was used when there was a
need to know how the individuals distributed themselves in
certain areas of the questionnaires, and a comparison between
these distributions of the athletes and controls.

The results of the statistical analyses are shown in

the presentation of the findings reported in the following

35C“ Ira“ .6, tie m

chapter.

3h

CHAPTER IV
RESULTS, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DATA

The tables that were the products of the tabulated informa-
tion from the questionnaires were statistically analyzed, and

the results of this information are interpreted in this chapter.

TABLE XII

MEAN AGES OF TRACK ATHLETES AND NONFATHLETES
LIVING AND DECEASED

 

 

Track Non-

 

Athlete Athlete c 'R ' P
Age living 53001 53 .37 .27 .79
Age deceased 59.11 62.80 *.63 .50-.70
Ages of deceased
less accidental deaths 67.1 69.5 «.52 .Sh

 
    

— WWW“ "—‘w‘b ’ "W h
The mean ages of the living demonstrates that the strati-
fied random.sampling technique used in this study gives a
very close age relationship between the track athlete and the
control group. A comparison of this type helps to validate
the sampling technique in that the idea was to pick a control

group of similar ages from the same college. The differences

between ages of the deceased groups were not significant.

QUE

_ 7...... ' T .

‘ifillwiil"; 5n" A ‘L '5. i.

35

A The comparison between the ages and causes of death in
Table XIII gives a little insight into the reason for the
low mean ages of death for the track athletes and non-athletes.
In analyzing these data, it was found that upon removal of
all those subjects who died due to accidental causes the mean
age difference dropped from.3.79 years to 2.h0 years. This
is not significant in itself with this small number of cases,

it; _; shrehi-d—fl

but it is conceivable that with a larger number of cases

1 : .flf 25

‘17!— 51': '

this could possibly be of some significance.

TABLE XIII

AGES AND CAUSES OF DEATH OF TRACK
ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

I 1
“I 1 L

 

 

Ages Accidental ngzize Aéiuggger Infoggation
25.31; 2 (2)*

BS-uh 2

u5-5u 1 (1) 2 (1)

55-6h 1 1 (2)

65-7h (2) 6 (3) 1

75-8u 1 (2) (1) 2
85-94 (1)

Totals 6 (S) 9 (6) 2 (h) 2

 

 

* parentheses denotes non-athletes

36

Table I gives the ages at death, and the causes of death.
This again has no statistical significance, but it denotes that
accidents cause death.earlier in life in most cases. ‘Heart
disease was another principle cause of death of athletes and
non-athletes and usually came in later years. The other dis-

eases occurred in the middle years and included cancer, vascu-

IZTTW

1ar lesions affecting the central nervous system, pneumonia,
intestinal obstruction, and several other diseases classified

under all other diseases. A table with a greater number of cases

BWtQum in“

would give a better concept of what the main causes of death
might be in both.groups.

TABLE XIV
PRESENT STATE OF HEALTH OF TRACK.ATHLETES AND NONvATHLETES

 

 

 

 

State ,Subjects
of H°‘1th' Track Athletes NODRAth1°t’3

Good N . 165 13°
% 78.6 78.8

Pair N 20 18
g 9.5 10e9

Poor N 6 1
g 2.9. 06

lo 6

Response H 19 16

% 9,0 9.7
x?- .10
P 070-.

 

W

 

37

The difference between the state of health of the athletes
and the controls was not significant, but the athletes seem
to have mentioned poor health.mere frequently with a percentage
of 2.9 and .6 for non-athletes. Chi square was used in the
analysis of these data, and the poor and fair categories were
combined due to the lack of numbers in these areas. The per- F
contages are very similar in good, fair and poor health. This
similarity is probably due to chance. .

TABLE.IV

(.11 .11. '-‘ .-.I as unsagvm 1.1V
3

THE HEIGHTS or TRACK ATHIETES AND NON-ATHLETES

Y 1 Tj

 

Track Non-

 

Athletes Athletes 0 'R ‘ P
Mean weight 155.119 152.66 1.75 ' .08
in.College
H0111 Change 17e71 15e09 1e36 e17
in Height _
P0r°°nt Change 1108 1208 08’... 014.0
in Height

M

The difference in the mean weight of track athletes and
nonpathletes during college is almost significant. This dif-
ference in weight.might have been caused by the heavier men
in discus, shotput and decathlon. The differences in the
change of weight from.college to present day weights was very
similar, which may dispel some criticism of track athletes
gaining so much weight after training.

' I--‘ 1
.43.}.

5!

 

38

This table on the weight of track athletes and non-athletes
takes into consideration the mean weight of both.groups in col-
lege, the mean change in weight from.college days to the present
and also the percent change in.weight. The difference of h.69

pounds per man may not appear to be great, but it is close to

I

being significant. The change in weight from college to the
present time was not significant, but it showed the athletes
had gained an average of 2.62 pounds more per man than the non-

athletes. The percent change in weight showed that DOD!

Q ‘i’.’;.:-’ a ‘35 it!" ALAS: ’ '

i

athletes have a slightly higher percent gain in weight. In
reading the tables we must consider that even though the athp
lete seems to gain more weight, it is the percent change in
weight that tells the real story of how much.weight in rela-
tion to body size is being gained. This percent change in
weight seems to show that track athletes probably stay in a
little better physical shape, even though the difference was
not statistically significant.

TABLE XVI

MARITAL STATUS OF TRACK.ATHLETES
AND NON-ATHLETES LIVING AND.DECEASED

H

 

 

 

Track Athletes Non-Athletes
Married Single married Single
% N % N % N % N
iDeceased 93.75 15 6.25 l 93.33 1h 6.67 1

Combined 97.57 201 2.h3 5 97.56 160 2.Lu. u

1
L

 

39

The marital status of the athletes and non-athletes was
very similar for the living, deceased and combined groups.
The percentage for single subject: deceased were higher than
for the married subjects deceased which indicates a similarity

to other studies in the same area.

TABLE XVII

THE MEAN HOURS SPENT IN VOCATIONAL AND AVOCATIONAL
ACTIVITIES IN THE YEARS AFTER COLLEGE .
BY TRACK ATHLETES AND NONqATHLETES

_.

 

A; L

Ages and Mean Hours 'Hean Hours
Activity Spent Daily Spent Daily C.R. P
by Track Athletes by NoneAthletes

 

rum 3.- ar'._'m‘_‘ -‘h '
u

20 - 29

Vigorous 2.h7 3.01 1.3 .19
Moderate 1.27 1.33 .BM .73
Mild 2.22 2.50 .71; .116
30 - 39

Vigorous gels 2e22 e17 e87
Moderate 1.h6 1.75 .85 .uo
ZHild 2.33 3.01 1.75 .08
no - N9

Vigorous 1.h9 1.96 1.08 .28
Moderate 2.u7 2.76 .66 .51
Mild l.h9 2.15 1.69 .09
50 - 59

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Maserate 2.72 2.98 .HD .63
Mild 1.32 1.83 .97 .33
60 - Plus

Vigorous 1.59 1.79 .2h .81
Mbderate 3.03 200M 1.2h .22
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The table on vocational and avocational time spent after
college seems to show a trend toward the nonpathletes spending

more time daily in both of these areas. The graph, Figure 1,

shows this trend very well. The only exception to this inclin-

ation was in the moderate sixty plus years. The athletes
spent almost one hour more per day in physical exercise in
their vocation and evocation than the non-athletes. The two
cases that came close to being significant were the groups

in the 30 - 39 mdld.and.h0 - h9 mild areas. These were criti-
cal ratios of .08 and .09 respectively. These figures do not
indicate a great deal of difference and may be due to athletes
spending some of their spare time participating in some type
of sports activity not included in their vocational and avo-

cational activities.

TABLE‘XYIII
IHILITARY SERVICE EXPERIENCE OF TRACK.ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

I:-
“— :—:

 

Track ~ Non-

 

Athletes Athletes 0.3. P

Mean Years of 3.26 2.08 1.86 .06
Time in Serfice
Percent of 63.3 51.3 *h.03 .05-.02
Subjects in Service
Percent of Subjects *3.h1 .20-.10
In Types of Activity

Vigorous 28.7 18.6

Moderate 58.5 61.0
:Hdld 12.8 20.14.

 

l

 

*These figures are chi-square

.J ‘2“..‘4 u‘hw

t an». r2 «7.. -
,
v

Track athletes in this study have spent more time in
military service, and a greater percentage of them.entered
some armed service, than the group of non-athletes that were
chosen as the control group. This could be influenced by the
physical well-being of the athletes and their ability to stand

up under the rigors of training. The difference in th. mean {A
number of years in service may have been determined by a a
greater number of track athletes staying in service longer, a
which seems to be borne out by the statistics. i
There were twenty track athletes who stayed in the ser- E,-

vice for six years or longer, and the mean number of years
for the group of twenty was 13.9 years. The nonpathletes had
only seven men stay in the service longer than six years, and
this mean was 15.1 years. This large number of years included
in the total group caused quite a difference in.mean years per
man. The percentage of track athletes in service as compared
to non-athletes showed a 12 percent difference between the two
groups. In the statistical analysis of the information, a chi
square having a probability between .05 to .02 was found. This
could be caused by a more adventurous spirit for hazardous ‘
activities. They may have liked their training in the Reserve
Officers Training Corps that all freshmen and sophomores were
required to take well enough to enter the service.

The difference in activity in service was not significant,
but it would appear that a larger percentage of track athletes

#3

were in vigorous activity during their military experience

than non-athletes.

TABLE XIX

THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF TRACE ATHLETES AND
NON-ATHLETESIDURING AND AFTER COLLEGE .

I-fi

 

 

 

 

Durigg College After College 1

Percent Percent Percent Percent é

Satis- Unsatis- Satis- Unsatis- a

factory factory factory factory g

a

Track 91.1h 8.86 98.53 1.h7 3

Athletes -1
Nonp

Athletes 92e50 7e50 98e76 lean.

 

The athletes and nonpathletes are very similar in their
answers to questions on the economic status that they main-
tained during and after college. The differences are of very
little consequence and, therefore, are not significant. The
table does show that both groups were in better economic Status
after college than they had been before college. There was a
difference of 6.26 and 7.39 percent for non-athletes and track
athletes respectively between college years and the years af-
ter college. This is very logical because most people after
college begin their careers and find a certain amount of success
at whatever they are doing and would probably feel more secure

in their economic status.

TABLE XX

A COMPARISON EETHEEN TRACK ATHLETES
AND NON-ATHLETES IN USE OF ALCOHOL

 

 

 

Percent Percent x2 P
Non-users Users
Track Athletes 2h.88 75.12
S .31; .02-.05 F"
Non-Athletes 37.35 62.65

 

 

The comparison of track athletes and non-athletes on the

{Tuni

consumption of alcoholic beverages shows a significant differ-
ence in the number of non-drinkers and drinkers. There were
12.h7 percent more non-athletes who did not use any alcohol
through life than the athletes. The statistical analysis
showed a probability of .02-.05. This difference could be
caused by many different and varied reasons. The first COD!
clusion reached on the significance of this information is
the idea that after abstaining from.the use of alcohol during
training athletes want to break training and this is one way.
Athletes, many times, select jobs in areas of a more social
nature, and therefore, use alcohol due to pressures of his
clientele. The athlete may also use alcohol as a method of
relaxing himself as a substitute for the physical exertion
that he used as a means of releasing tension in.competition.
The differences in smoking habits in Tables III and XXII
were not significant, but indicate that the athletes seemed to

#5

TABLE XXI

A COMPARISON OF THE AMOUNTS OF TOBACCO USED BY
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

 

 

Tobacco *Track Athlete s {Non-Athletes

Amounts 3‘ N 76 N

No Response 12. 9 27 5 .5 9 F‘
Never 28 . 6 60 1L1. 8 69

Little 9.0 19 9 .7 16

Moderate 36 .6 77 31.5 52 A
Heavy 12. 9 27 11.5 19 L.

 

 

 

*Chi square (three degrees of freedom) 5.14.11 P I .20-.10

TABLE XXII

A COMPARISON OF THE TYPES OF TOBACCO USED BY THE
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES- 6

 

 

—v

 

T013000 *Track Athletes ”Non-Athletes
Types . g N g N

No Response Ltl.1 76 1411.8 714.
Cigarettes _ 29.5 62 35.3 59
Pipe 6.2 13 5.5

Cigars and Chew 7.1 15 3.6

Two or More 16.1 31'. 10.3 17

 

 

*Chi square (three degrees of freedom) 65.92 P I .20-.10

 

La. .1

14.6

smoke more than the non-athletes. The difference between the
no response groups was due to many of the subjects not indi-
cating the type of tobacco that they used.

The reasons for the differences between athletes and
non-athletes possibly might be the same as those for the
greater usage of alcohol. These reasons being the breaking
of training and the more social type of job. Another possible
reason might be that athletes many tunes turn to the sales
and coaching profession. To relieve the tension of selling
or coaching duties, they take up smoking and drinking habits.

The diseases of track athletes and non-athletes during
and after childhood were compared in Table XXIII and were
found to be very similar. The groups were almost the same in
percentage of tonsilitis and tensile removed. In.the area
of heart defects, there was a difference of .9 percent in
favor of the track athletes. The non-athletes had no chores
at all while the athletes had 1.h percent. These were the
main differences. There were so few cases of disease after
childhood that no logical conclusion can be reached. The
disease, hypertension, had the greatest number of cases and
showed a difference of h.7 percent in favor of the non-athletes
with.a mean age difference of 13 years. This is not signifi-

cant because of the limited number of cases. This difference

in hypertension could be caused by many of the events that were,:

mentioned in regards to smoking and drinking. The social type

of job athletes seem.to move into may cause this difference.

 

TABLE XXIII

DISEASES OF TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES
DURING AND AFTER CHILDHOOD

h?

 

 

Diseases During

 

 

 

 

 

 

Track Athleteg_ Non-Athleteg_
ChildhOOd‘ 'st NC Rfsggnse 'st N? Rfsggnse F”
Heart Defects 10.0 87.6 2.11 10.9 85.5 3.6
Chores 1.h 96.2 2.h 0.0 96.h 3.6:
Rheumatic Fever 2.8 9h.8 2.h 2.h 9h.0 3.6
Tonsilitis 25.2 72.11 2.h 25.5 70.9 3.6
Tonsils Removed hh.7 52.9 8.h. hh.9 51.5 3.6
Growing Pains 8.6 89.0 2.h 6.1 90.3 3.6
131...... After 7. with Mean Age 5 with Mean Age
Childhood the Disease at Onset the Disease at Onset
Hypertension 11.h 51.0 6.7 6h.0
Arteriosclerosis- 2.h 67.h 1.2 #62.0
Diabetes .9 *5h.0 .6 *51.0
Coronary Thrombosis 1.0 *58.0 .6 *71.0
Angina Pectoris .5 *72.0 0.0 0.0

 

 

*Two cases or less

OTHER DISEASES REPORTED BY TRACK
ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

TABLE XXIV

he

 

Disease Track Athletes Non-Athletes
Tuberculosis 3 1
Cancer and Tumors 3
Heart Vascular and

Rena1.Diseases 3 7
Influenza, Pneumonia

and Bronchitis 16 25
Ulcers, and

Digestive Disorders 21 21
Other Diseases 91 82

In filling out the questionnaire, the two groups were

asked to list any other diseases that they had contracted

during their lifetime.

The use of percentages was not ad-

vantageous in this table because anyone subject could list

more than one disease.

The number listed under heart ail-

ments is the only noticeable difference and is probably of

no significance .

_l

statue-am; wrrmujnefl

119

TABLE.XXV

THE PERCENT LIVING AND THE MEAN AGE AT DEATH OF THE
PARENTS OP TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

Track Athletes Non-Athletes I? P

 

14.92122;

Percent Living 37.6 h1.8 .7h8 .30-.50
Mean Age. at Death 65.5 68.2 «II-1.09 .28
Lam-.22

Percent Living 25.7 28.h .509 .30-.50
Mean Age at Death 67.h 68.6 a.5§ .58

 

 

flThe critical ratio was used in the analysis of this data.

The percent of mothers and fathers living of track ath-
letes and non-athletes are fairly similar, but the non-athletes
are a few percentage points ahead in both cases. The mean age
at death of fathers were slightly higher than.mothers which is
unusual from.the standpoint of statistics on this subject. The
statistical analysis of these data showed no significant dif-

ferences and therefore, was probably due to chance.

 

 

50

TABLE XXVI

THE MEAN AGES AT DEATH OF THE MATERNAL
AND PATERNALAGRANDPARENTS

 

Track Athletes Non-Athletes C.R. P

 

 

Paternal Grandfather 71.5 72.3 .AB .63 A1
Paternal Grandmother 70.2 73.0 1.h8 .lh ‘
Maternal Grandfather 70.9 72.5 .92 .36

Maternal Grandmother 68.8 70.7 .96 .3h

 

 

In the mean age of death for all grandparents, the statis-
tical analysis does not show any significance, but throughout,
the non-athletes grandparents show a slight advantage in the
length of life. This same difference was shown in the mean
age of death of the parents which.might be the cause of the
difference in the length of life between the track athletes
and the nonpathletes. A hereditary characteristic might pos-
sibly be the cause of all these mean differences. Some of
the parents and grandparents of the track athletes probably
had a lower standard of living and had to work hard throughp
out their lifetime. In all probability, many of the track
athletes were from a lower income group and were only able

to go to school through.the use of scholarships.

51

TABLE XXVII

THE MEAN NUMBER OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

H

Mean Number for Mean Number forc R P
Track Athletes Non-Athletes ' ' -

 

Sisters Living .91 1,08 1.35 .13 f“
Sisters Deceased 03h .20 1.33 .07 E
Brothers Living 1.00 .78 1.85 .06 ;
Brothers Deceased .33 .30 .51 .61 i
Combined 2.56 2.36 i

 

Track athletes had greater numbers in their families
than the non-athletes, although the differences were not ex-
treme. This difference could be caused by the tendency of
lower income groups to have larger families. The only areas
where the statistics were approaching significance were sis-

ters deceased and brothers living.

'.-. -13.:-

 

J

m,,..v.-.4-_‘. n”-

 

a

TABLE XXVIII

52

AIIMENTS OF MOTHERS AND FATHERS 0F
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

 

 

 

 

Diseases {Track Athletes *NonpAthletes
% Fathers % Mothers % Fathers % Mothers

Tuberculosis 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 6
Cancer and Tumors 1.9 2.5 0.0 1.5
Heart, Vascular

and Rena1.Diseases 12.9 12.7 25.5 l3.h
Influenza, Pneumonia

and Bronchitis 0.0 0.0 h.3 0.0
Ulcers and

Digestive Disorders 1.9 1.3 0.0 0.0
Other DiseaSes 12.9 15.2 12.8 1h.9
Senility without

:mention of Psychosis 1.9 1.3 2.1 1.5
Total Cases (causes

.of ailment unknown) 68.5 65.7 55.3 68.7

A

 

*Chi square (21 degrees of freedom) 11.06 P I .9k

 

(int - ..
l
E

TABLE HIX

THE CAUSES OF DEATH OF MOTHERS AND FATHERS OF
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON—ATHLETES

53

 

 

 

 

Disaaaes {Track AthleteL {Non-Athletes
- % Fathers % Mothers % Fathers % Mothers
Tuberculosis 3.2 2.3 1.7 2.0
Cancer and Tumors 10.9 13.7 7.6 7.1
Heart, Vadcular
and Renal Diseases 33.3 28.2 33.9 29.6
Influenza, Pneumonia
and Bronchitis 11.5 9.2 9.3 11.1
Ulcers and
Digestive Disorders 3.2 2.3 .9 6.1
Other Diseases 11.5 9.2 10.2 111.3
Accidents, Suicides,
Homicides and War -
Deaths 5.8 2.3 7.6 3.0-
Senility without
mention of Psychosis 9.6 9.2 11.0 9.2
Total cases (causes
18.0 23.6 17.8 211.6

of death unknown)

 

 

iChi square (27 degrees of freedom) 30.59 P 8 .28

'1 ‘3

 

TABLE xxx

Sh

THE CAUSES OF DEATH OF‘MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS 0F
TRACK ATHIETES AND NON—ATHLETES

 

 

 

s-Non-AthleteL

 

 

Diseases *Track Athletes
% % ' % %
G.Father G.Mother G.Father G.Mother
Tuberculosis 09 10A}. 102 06
Cancer and Tumors 1.9 6.7 11.2 3.0
Heart, Vascular
and Renal Diseases 13.8 9.1 13.3, 15.8
Influenza, Pneumonia
and Bronchitis 11.8 2.9 6.1 14.9
Ulcers and
Digestive Disorders 2.14. .5 1.2 1.2
Other Diseases 3.3 7.1 7.9 7.3
Accidents, Suicides,
Homicides and War
Deaths 11.3 .5 3.6 .6
Senility without
mention of Psychosis 16.2 16.7 13.3 16.11
Total Cases (causes
55.1 11.9.2 50.2

of death unknown) 52.11.

 

 

*Chi square (27 degrees of freedom) 28.39 P I .38

 

55

TABLE XXXI

THE CAUSES OF DEATH OF PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS OF
TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A ' *Track Athletes *Non-Athletes
Diseases . g g % g
- G. Father G.Mother G.Father G.Mother
Tuberculosis 1.h 1.h 1.8 .6
Cancer and Tumors l.h 3.8 1.2 .6
Heart, Vascular ‘ I
and Renal Disorders 12.h 8.6 1h.6 10.9
Influenza, Pneumonia
and Bronchitis 507 303 307 300
Ulcers and
Digestive Disorders 0.0 .5 2.h .6
Other Diseases h.3 2.9 3.0 6.7

Accidents, Suicides,
Homicides and War

Deaths 702 209 607 .6
Senility without
mention of Psychosis 15.7 13.8 13.9 18.8

Total Cases (causes
cf death unknown) 51.9 62.8 52.7 58.2

 

 

*Chi square (27 degrees of freedom) R6.5 P = .01

.0

 

I
o a I s
s
O O I s
u
o v v I
s
o s I o
.a - 4 A.
i .
6.

hbfbl"

 

56

In Tables XXVIII to XXXI, the ailments and causes of
death of parents and grandparents, there is a great deal of
shmilarity between the grandparents and also between the
parents of the track athletes and non-athletes. The one
great difference in these groups was in heart ailments. The
percentage was twice as great among parents as it was among
grandparents. This could possibly be due to the differences
in diagnosis today from.what it was during the time of the

 

{Isiah} -’-.' 'rt- u-v . a

grandparents' deaths. This could also be caused by the ac-
celerated life of today having caused a greater amount of
heart ailment than that era of almost pioneer life of the
grandparents of the athletes and non-athletes. In Table
.XXVIII in the area of heart disease, the fathers of non-
athletes had 12.6 percent more heart ailments than the fathers
of track athletes. This was the one greatest difference be-
tween the parents of these two groups.

A chi square was computed for this table and there was
no significant difference between these groups. Table XXII
on the causes of death of paternal grandparents was statis-
tically significant when a chi square was computed. The great-
est difference seemed to be in the area of heart, vascular
and renal diseases. The paternal grandparents of the track
athletes had less heart disease when compared with the pater-

nal grandparents of the non-athletes.

57

TABLE JDEXII

THE OPINION 0F TRACK ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES
0N wEETHER ATHLETICS ARE HARMFUL .
0R BENEFICIAL To COMPETITORS _

 

 

 

Categories Track Athletes NonpAthletes
N % N , %

Harmful 5 2.37 15 9.09
Beneficial 108 51.u3 59 35.75
BR1333363631311 55 26.19 at 26.67
No Effect 19 9.05 11 6.67
No Opinion 2 .95 6 3.6a
No Response 2 .96 15 9.09
‘Deceased 19 9.05 15 9.09

 

 

 

The analysis of the data in Table XXIII was of some
benefit because the Judgment of people is always interesting
if not very scientific. The largest number of subjects tram
‘both groups thought that athletic competition was in the
:main beneficial to its participants. A chi square was used
and.it was found to be 13.hu for three degrees of freedom
1whichhas a probability of .007 for the differences between
harmful, beneficial, beneficial with reservations and no ef-
;fect. This shows a significant difference between the ideas
.or track_athletes and non-athletes on.whether athletics are

detrimental to the competitor. The track athletes whose

llurnrur . - ._

58

expressed opinion that athletics were harmful, have probably
been injured in athletics or have formed their impression
through some person in connection with athletics. The non-
athletes that believe athletics are harmful to those who
compete may also have been injured or observed an injury to
someone else in athletics. They may also have been disap-

pointed in some attempt to become a letter winner.

 

V

59

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary The present study is a comparison between a group
of track athletes taken from.the athletic record

 

books at Michigan State University and a control group of
non-athletes taken from.the undergraduate records in the

Office of the Registrar. The track athletes were letter

Imam-mind“; -"_»'i.- ' " ‘
I
r

winners from the years 1886 to 1937. The non-athletes were
picked using a random.stratified sampling from.the same years
that the athletes won their letters.

A questionnaire was sent out to 361 track athletes and
210 questionnaires were filled out and returned. There
'were 63 questionnaires returned by the post office unopened.
The non-athletes returned 165 questionnaires of a possible
361 with 90 questionnaires returned by the post office. The
percentages for returned were 57.6 and.h5.3, respectively.

During this process of receiving the questionnaires,
there were two followbup letters sent out at intervals of
.four and six weeks to accelerate the number of returns.

The questionnaires were numbered for ease in tabulating
this information on I.B.M. sheets and cards. A coding system
:for entry of all information on I.B.M. cards was devised, and

'the information was punched onto these cards. {A group of

60

three cards per subject were needed for all the information
that was used in the study.

A group of seventy—five tables was obtained from the
information that was taken from the questionnaires. These
tables were then statistically analyzed for their results.

There have been a few good studies completed in the area
of longevity. The best of these was a study by Alan Rookl
(19514.) on ”An Investigation Into the Longevity of Cambridge
Sportsmen} In this study Rook used a control of similar
non-sportsmen for a comparison between the two groups. He
found very little difference in the mean ages at death of the
random control group, but the intellectuals lived about two
years longer. Louis Dublinz completed two studies, one in
1928 and his more complete study in 1932. He used a control
group of college subjects in his second study to make his
comparisons. Dublin used insurance statistics for his com-
parisons in the first study, and this made the study less valid.
Dublin found that there was not a great deal of difference in
the mean age at death between sportsmen and non-sportsmen, but
the honor men had a longer length of life, which was similar

to the results of Hook's3 study. Most of the other studies

.

lilan.aook, ”An Investigation into the Longevity of
Cambridge Sportsmen,” British Medical Journal, 11865: 773-777,
‘Prilg 195k. ..

2Louis I. Dublin, ”College Honor Men Long-Lived," Statis-

tical Bulletin o__f_ _t__he Metropolitan L_i__fe Insurance Co an , l3:

3R°Okp0 93a Cite 3

 

 

 

61

used insurance statistics for comparing, which does not give
a valid comparison of the differences in the length of life

between these groups.

Conclusions The following statistically significant dif-
ferences were observed.
1. Track athletes in college have a greater mean weight f‘
than college non-athletes.
2. Non-athletes spend less time in military service
than track athletes.

 

3. A larger percent of track athletes enter military
service than non-athletes.

h. Non-athletes are more often non-drinkers of alcohol
than track athletes.

5. It is the opinion of more non-athletes, as compared
to track athletes, that athletics are harmful to the
people active in this type of physical activity.

6. There are more sisters deceased from the families of
track athletes than.nonpathletes.

7. There are more brothers living from.the families
of track athletes than non-athletes.

8. Paternal grandparents of track athletes have less
heart disease than the paternal grandparents of

the non-athletes.

62

The following observations were not statistically signi-
ficant.
1. There are more bnathers and sisters in the families
of track athletes than in the families of non-athletes.
2. The sampling techniques used in selecting the non-
athletes for this study seem to be adequate. F“
3. There was no significant difference in the mean ages
of death for track athletes and non-athletes.

h. Accidental deaths seemio have occurred at a younger

 

age than other causes of death for track athletes
and non-athletes.

5. The economic status of track athletes and nonpathletes
appears to have been better after college than during
college.

6. Track athletes are users of tobacco more often than
non-athletes.

7. The mean age of death of parents and grandparents of
track athletes appears to be slightly lower than the

parents and grandparents of non-athletes.

Recommendations The recommendations that might help to better
this study and future studies of this type
are as follows:
1. A shmilar study should be made on all the athletes
at Michigan State University with a control group of
non-athletes similar to those that were used in this study.

2.

3.

63

The area of alcohol use should be more adequately
defined in regard to amounts consumed.

The questionnaire should have had a question on the
occupation of both track athletes and non-athletes.
To facilitate the I.B.M. work, the type of sport
for every athlete should be punched into all three

cards .

1mm_mufia§£ at?
( A I.
D

l

61+

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Karpovich, Peter V. "Longevity and Athletics," Research
Quarterly, 12: RSI-ASS, May, l9u1. -

Meylan, George L. "Harvard University Oarsmen," Harvard _
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Anderson, William G. I ”Further Studies in the Longevity of
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191 . .

Greenway, James C. and Ira V. Hiscock. "Mortality Among
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Hill, A. Bradford. ”Cricket and its Relation to the Duration
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Dublin, Louis I. ”Longevity of College Athletes,” Harpers
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Knoll, U. ”Helches Lebensalter Erreichen die Ruderer von
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65

Van Mervenne, C. J. "Life Span of Athletes," Nederlandsch
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wakefield, Mark c. ”A Study of Mortality Among the Men
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19 . . .

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and Health, Oslo, Norway: Published by Royal Norwegian
Ministry of Education, 1952.

Rook, Alan. ”An Investigation into the Longevity of
Cambridge Sportsmen,” British Medical Journal, h865;
773-777, April, 195k. . _

Verginello, A. ”Sulla Rarita Del Suicido Negli Sportivi
Prgfitioanti," Medicino Sportiva, 8: h88—u92, November,
19 . - .

“WA—fl summons“. .7”
i A
I

NATIONAL STUDY OF LONGEVITY AND MORBIDITY OF ATHLETES
IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Form A. This Form is for graduates who earned a college letter in one or more sports.
(Please Fill in this Form as Completely and Accurately as Possible)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date
Name of Athlete (please print) Year of Birth Weight at Graduation from College
IF ATHLETE IS LIVING IF ATHLETE IS DECEASED
Present address Age at death .. yrs.
Cause of death stated on death certificate:
A - _ Primary
Present weight _..__.__....__ lbs. Secondary -
Present general condition of health If answer is unknown, state the generally accepted cause 0f
(Check one): . death
Good __._.... .._.._ .
Fair _________ Was death sudden ___._...__. or lingering
Poor _______ ‘ Was he married _...... or single ____.._.__
Married _______.__ Single __ Person entering information on this form:
(Check one) Name
Address
Relationship ..-.. _~'_

 

 

 

 

 

Athletic and General Sports History of Athlete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Sport High College Amateur Profes- Age
School Non-School sional
f yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
Activity During Adult Life, Excluding Playing Participation In Sports
Include vocational and avocational activities
Number of hours of physical activity (daily or almost daily)
Age Vigorous Moderate Mild
yrs. to yrs hrs. hrs. hrs.
yrs. to yrs hrs. hrs. hrs.
vrs. to yrs. hrs. hrs. hrs.
yrs. to yrs. hrs. hrs. hrs.
Military Service
Branch of Service Age ._.___.___ yrs. to ..._... yrs.
Physical activity involved (check): Vigorous .__...___ Moderate — Mild __
If more than one branch of the Service, name the others and indicate the amount of physical
activity involved
Economic Status of Home From Early Childhood Upward
Before and During College years After College Years Comments
(check one) (check one)
Satisfactory ___..._.__ Satisfactory .._.._-_-__._
Unsatisfactory __._.__.. Unsatisfactory

(OVER)

 

 

Medical History
AILMENT

1. Infectious and Contagious Diseases (State age of occurrence).

 

 

 

 

 

2. Childhood rheumatism Growing pains -_.__.. Chorea
(State, if possible, age Rheumatic fever _...._______.__
of occurrence of any lst attack

manifestations in this 2nd attack

group). 3rd attack

 

Tonsilitis_._ Tonsils removed.—
Heart defects (give as complete a
diagnosis as possible, such as
murmurs, enlargement, irregu-
larity, heart failure, etc).

 

 

 

 

 

\

3. Hypertension (Mention complications such as stokes, coro-
nary thrombosis, heart failure, uremia, etc, along with age
of occurrence)

 

 

4. Arterio Sclerosis

 

 

5. Angina Pectoris __ Coronary Thrombosis __
Indicatefrequazcyofm

Diabetes ____... Peripheral Vascular Disease .—

6. Other Diseases (mention organ or body system afiected, and
age of occurrence):

 

 

 

 

 

Smoking and Drinking Habits

 

 

 

 

 

Use alcoholic drinks: never -__...._ moderately excessively
Use tobacco: What form How much
Hereditary History
Relationship If Living If Deceased
Age Ailment, if any Age at Death Cause of Death

 

 

Paternal grandfather

 

 

Paternal grandmother

 

Maternal grandfather

 

 

Maternal grandmother

 

Father

 

 

Mother

 

Brothers

 

 

 

Sisters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(If Hypertension, Coronary Thrombosis or Diabetes present in family, please indicate)

 

Do you think that participation in athletics is beneficial, harm-
ful, or has no effect?

Please comment; if critical of program, give reasons _.._-_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comments which will provide additional information on
your participation or lack of participation in sports.
Some examples: “I played basketball for high school dur-
ing afternoons and for a club in the evenings in 1926.” “Did
not play football during junior college year on account of
fracture or operation.” “Etc ”

 

 

 

67

NATIONAL STUDY OF LONGEVITY AND MORBIDITY OF MALE GRADUATES
0F COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Form B. This Form is for men who did not earn a letter in sports
(Please Fill in this Form as Completely and Accurately as Possible)

Date

 

 

Name of Alumnus (please print)

 

 

Year of Birth Weight at Graduation from College

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IFALUMNUSISLIVING IPALUMNUSISDBCEASED
Present address Age at death ..___.... yrs.
Cause of death stated on death certificate:
i _._. Primary
Present weight ........ ...._. lbs. Secondary
Present general condition of health If answer is unknown, state the generally accepted cause of it
(Check one): death 3‘
Good .____--_____ ._--..._-_--__ '
Fair ____________ Was death sudden _____ or lingering _._-._..._._
Poor Was he married -“__-- or single ___.__._.._.
Married ..___..__.___ Single __ Person entering information on this form:
(Check one) Name .
Address . 1
Relationship _--" 3
Athletic and General Sports History of Alumnus
Name of Sport High College Amateur Profes- Age
School Non-School sional
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
yrs. to yrs. of age
vrs. to yrs. of age .
vrs. to yrs. of age
Activity During Adult Life, Excluding Playing Participation In Sports
Include vocational and avocational activities
Number of hours of physical activity (daily or almost daily)
Age Vigorous Moderate Mild
yrs. to yrs. hrs. hrs. hrs.
yrs. to yrs. hrs. hrs. hrs.
vrs. to yrs hrs. hrs. hrs.
yrs. to yrs. hrs. ' hrs, hrs.
Military Service
Branch of Service Age .. yrs. to _____ yrs.
Physical activity involved (check): Vigorous _______.___ Moderate _.__......._ Mild __

 

If more than one branch of the Service, name the others and indicate the amount of physical

activity involved

 

 

Economic Status of Home From Early Childhood Upward

 

 

Before and During College years After Collegizears Comments
(check one) (check one)

Satisfactory ._ Satisfactory _.-------__._

Unsatisfactory ______...._ Unsatisfactory _..____.._._..

(OVER)

 

 

 

Medical History
AILMENT

1. Infectious and Contagious Diseases (State age of occurrence).

 

 

2. Childhood rheumatism Growing pains m"... Chorea __._
(State, if possible, age Rheumatic fever --._._____

 

of occurrence of any lst attack
manifestations in this 2nd attack
group). 3rd attack
Tonsilitis..._ Tonsils removed—
Heart defects (give as complete a
diagnosis as posible, such as
murmurs, enlargement, irregu-
larity, heart failure, etc). __

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Hypertension (Mention complications such as stokes, coro-
narythrombosis,heartfailure,uremla,etc.,alongwithage
of occurrence)

 

 

4. Arterio Sclerosis

 

 

5. Angina Pectoris

Diabetes _____ Peripheral Vascular Disease __

6. Other Diseases (mention organ or body system afiected, and

age of occurrence):

 

 

 

 

 

Smoking and Drinking Habits

 

 

 

 

 

Use alcoholic drinks: never __._.._.. moderately _____._ excessively
Use tobacco: What form How much
Hereditary History
Relationship If Living If Deceased
Age . Ailment, if any Age at Death Cause of Death

 

 

Paternal grandfather

 

 

Paternal grandmother

 

Maternal grandfather

 

 

Maternal grandmother

 

Father

 

 

Mother

 

Brothers

 

 

 

Sisters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(If Hypertension, Coronary Thrombosis or Diabetes present in family, please indicate)

Do you think that participation in athletics is beneficial, harm-
ful, or has no effect?

Please comment; if critical of program, give reasons .._.__.-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comments which will provide additional information on
your participation or lack of participation in sports.

Some examples: “Did not participate in college because I

was no longer an amateur athlete.” “Did not participate on

advice of a physician.” “Did not participate because I had

to work my way through college.” “I wasn’t good enough

to make the team.” Etc

 

 

 

 

68

MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE
‘sasr LANSING

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
HEALTH AND RECREATION FOR MEN
JBNISON GYMNASIUM AND FIELD 8008'

Dear Sir:

Michigan State College along with a. number of other selected colleges
and universities throughout the country has undertaken a research proJect
of extremely great importance to present and future generations. It is
a national study of longevity and morbidity of former college and univer-
sity athletes.

The potential value of such a study for the national health must
be evident to all. Literally hundreds of thousands of boys and girls,
youth, and adults participate annually in a variety of vigorous compe-
titive sports. This participation is the result of both a strong natural
urge and the ever increasing encourggement which is being applied by
schools and colleges, clubs, and other organizations throughout the land.

The findings of our national study will without question affect the
future planning of sports programs everywhere, including those in which
your own children and grandchildren may take part. Differences of opin-
ion among laymen and among medical men as to the good and bad effects of
competitive sports are common; so also are the fears of many parents of
participants. It is high time that the real facts be established and
made available to all. .

In order to obtain the information so vitally needed, we are
writing to allcf our former athletes who earned their letters during
or before 1937. In the cases of deceased men, we are en'deavoring to
get the facts from a close relative or friend. We are asking that you,
along with all of our other former athletes, assist in this needed
scientific stw by filling in the enclosed questionnaire form and
returning it to us at. the earliest convenient date.

Obviously, the complete cooperation of all is necessary: the
results can be only as good as the degree of cooperation which is given.
Accuracy and completeness of answers is of extremely great importance.
Elm check with all persons and records which may help to insure
correct answers. If there are any items for which you cannot find an
answer, please write “Unknown".

We wish to express in advance our thanks to you for your parti-
cipation in this study. We are certain that when the results are
published it. will be satisfying to you to know that you shared actively
in the project.

Sincerely yours ,'

f' ..—
I o ontoye

Hear A
Assistant Professor

131101.

 

69

MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE
_EAST LANSING

DEPARTMENT or PHYSICAL EDUCATION
HEALTH AND RECREATION FOR MEN
JENISON GYMNASIUM AND FIELD HOUSE

Dear Sir:

About four weeks ago, a questionaire was sent to you
from the Physical Education Department here at Michigan
State College. The letter of transmittal explained to you
the purpose and need of this study (National Study of Long-
evity and Morbidity of Athletes in Colleges and Universities)
which is being conducted on a nationwide scale.

 

The outcome of this study will have a bearing on the admin- 5.
istration of future sports. Iherefore, it is important that we
get as nuch information as possible. 'It will only take a few
minutes of your tine to answer the questions, and please bear
in mind that we are anxiously awaiting your reply.

If, by any chance. Fall have lost the questionnaire, please
notify us and we shall promptly send you another.

bank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Yours very truly.

 

Assistant Professor
HJM:jlm

 

to
D.

 

‘-

'70

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCE 0 EAST LANSING

 

DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

June 4, 1954

Dear Sir:

About sixnweeks ago a questionnaire was sent to you regarding a longevity
study being conducted in the Physical Education Department at Michigan
State. Four weeks later a follow-up letter*was sent but we still have not
received your return. Your immediate attention to this matter would be
greatly appreciated.

The greater the number of returns the more valid and reliable will be the
study. The future of athletic policy may'well be influenced by the results
and we are sure that you would like to be a part of this influence.

If by chance your questionnaire has been misplaced or did not reach you,
we would be more than happy to send another.

Thank you fer your kind cooperation.
Yours very truly,

M/flr'y' y 7221.41.7/1

Henry J. Mbntoye
Assistant Professor

HJMIed

0.
s.

‘v'r; awe-2.; 2.- -

 

 

- ROOM USE ONLY ROOM USE ONLY.
Date Due

   

Aug 9 '5
a." ‘” 5Q

 

 

Demco-293

 

—_r