This study tracked around 30,000 IFBB bodybuilders from 2005-2020.
It is no surprise that bodybuilding is a sport where steroids are present at a high rate. Over the last few years, there has been an unfortunate string of deaths in the fitness world where athletes are being lost all around the world. And yes, it dates back even further than that. The question is, what is the exact risk that competitors are facing?
A new study shared by Menno Henselmans tracked nearly 30,000 IFBB bodybuilders from 2005-2020. Some of the findings might not be surprising but the disparity was eye-opening.
“A new study tracked death statistics of ~30k IFBB bodybuilders competing in the period of 2005 to 2020. Mortality rates were disturbingly high for athletes, especially among the male pros. Women are genetically at considerably lower risk for cardiovascular disease, so they have some protection from steroid-induced side-effects.”
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are essentially man-made forms of testosterone. A vital sex hormone predominantly in men, testosterone is involved with everything from muscle growth and increased strength, enhanced libido and sperm production, and tone of voice, body hair, and other bodily functions. Steroids became extremely popular overtime when athletes fully understood that these drug could help take them to the next level.
Study Links Bodybuilding Deaths to Cardiac Issues
The study initially found that male competitors at the professional ranks have a greater risk of side effects. Women are at a lower risk for cardiovascular disease genetically so this is a bit of protection. As for amateur competitors, the use of gear is significantly lower so this also puts them at less risk.
Sudden cardiac death was found to be the “primary” cause in the sport, which is often associated with an enlarged heart.
“Even more disturbing was that the primary cause of death was sudden cardiac death, often associated with an enlarged heart. Without symptoms to ring the alarm, this mortality risk is often neglected until it’s too late.”
Bodybuilding is a part of health and fitness, but to be competitive, it can be seen as an extreme sport. With this often comes the use of steroids and other compounds such as Deca, Tren, insulin and diuretics, among others. Athletes have begun talking about use of steroids more and more in recent years to help others understand. Generation Iron started conducting its own research in direct response to these deaths to figure out what exactly is happening.
Based on the findings of this new study, PEDs were the “major culprit” of deaths within the sport of bodybuilding.
“To compete at the pro level, most bodybuilders are virtually required to take a boatload of gear. IFBB amateurs certainly aren’t guaranteed to be natural either, so these statistics most likely greatly understate the risks compared to natural bodybuilding.”
This year, many high-profile bodybuilders have passed away tragically. Hayley McNeff, a respected bodybuilding champion, who also died at 37 in what her family described as an “unexpected” tragedy. It was later revealed that her death was caused by a drug overdose. Not long after, the bodybuilding world mourned Craig Licker, an IFBB Pro, who passed away at the age of 57. His cause of death remains undisclosed, but his passing adds to the unsettling pattern.
These names are now part of a growing list of bodybuilders who have died far too young over the past few years. While not every case is directly linked to performance-enhancing drug (PED) use, the recurring theme of sudden cardiovascular events, organ failure, or unexplained deaths among otherwise fit individuals raises serious questions. This new study attempted to answer some of those questions and share research found within the sport of bodybuilding.
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