Even Professional Athletes Get Sick - The Reality of Everyday Illnesses

Apr 20, 2023

Introduction

Despite their rigorous training routines, strict diets, and superior physical fitness, professional athletes are not immune to the everyday illnesses that affect the general population. As humans, they are susceptible to colds, flu, and infections just like anyone else. This blog post will discuss the common illnesses that professional athletes face and provide data to support these claims.

The Common Cold

The common cold is one of the most prevalent illnesses affecting people worldwide, including professional athletes (1). A study by Gleeson et al. found that athletes experience an average of 2.2 colds per year, which is similar to the rate for non-athletes (2). This is due to the fact that the common cold is caused by viruses, which are easily transmitted through the air or by direct contact with an infected individual.

Influenza

Influenza, or the flu, is another illness that impacts professional athletes. During the 2017-2018 flu season, several NBA players, including LeBron James, were affected by the virus (3). A study by Schwellnus et al. found that elite athletes are equally susceptible to the flu as non-athletes, with 5-10% of athletes contracting the flu each year (4).

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. According to a study by Hanstad et al., 10% of Norwegian elite athletes experienced gastroenteritis during a one-year period (5). In 2012, the NFL's Cleveland Browns experienced a widespread outbreak of the norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis, affecting over 12 players (6).

Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections (URIs), which include bronchitis and sinusitis, are also common among professional athletes. A study by Engebretsen et al. found that URIs accounted for 35.4% of all illnesses reported by athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympics (7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, professional athletes, despite their elite status, are not exempt from the everyday illnesses that affect the general population. It is essential for athletes to maintain proper hygiene, receive vaccinations, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of contracting these common illnesses.

References

(1) Eccles, R. (2005). Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 5(11), 718-725. DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70270-X

(2) Gleeson, M., Pyne, D. B., & Callister, R. (2011). The missing links in exercise effects on mucosal immunity. Exercise Immunology Review, 17, 107-128.

(3) Boren, C. (2018). NBA teams are struggling with a condiment-sized problem: The flu. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/01/19/nba-teams-are-struggling-with-a-condiment-sized-problem-the-flu/

(4) Schwellnus, M., Soligard, T., Alonso, J. M., Bahr, R., Clarsen, B., Dijkstra, H. P., ... & Engebretsen, L. (2016). How much is too much? (Part 2) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of illness. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(18), 1043-1052. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096572

(5) Hanstad, D. V., Rønsen, O., Andersen, S. S., Steffen, K., & Engebretsen, L. (2011). Fit for the fight? Illnesses in the Norwegian team in the Vancouver Olympic Games. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(7), 571-575. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2010.079905

(6) Wertheim, L. J. (2012). NFL in the time of cholera. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/12/19/nfl-in-the-time-of-cholera

(7) Engebretsen, L., Soligard, T., Steffen, K., Alonso, J. M., Aubry, M., Budgett, R., ... & Ljungqvist, A. (2010). Sports injuries and illnesses during the Winter Olympic Games 2010. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(11), 772-780. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2010.076992.

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