By Kellen Knowles, MD – American College of Cardiology –
Introduction: The U-Shaped Hypothesis and Emerging Evidence
Based on epidemiologic studies, it has been posited that there is a U- or reverse J-shaped relationship between exercise and cardiovascular outcomes. The benefits of regular exercise on longevity are well described; however, for elite athletes that are engaging in extraordinary training volumes and intensity, the impact of such training on their longevity is not well understood. Recent studies suggest that elite athletes have increased longevity compared with the general population
