74. Playing certain sports can help you live longer
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that playing certain sports can help you live longer. Researchers followed over 8,500 people for more than 25 years. They found that tennis, badminton, and soccer increased life expectancy, with tennis adding almost 10 years of life. Cycling and swimming were fourth and fifth on the list. It’s hard to know for sure why tennis, badminton, and soccer add the most years to our lives, but it’s likely due to the social interaction between participants. One of the key factors of longevity is maintaining strong relationships with others.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
