Warning to bodybuilders after 'growing number' of sudden deaths

SPORTS EXPERTS HAVE SOUNDED THE ALARM OVER SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATHS AMONG PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDERS 15:50, 21 May 2025 A sport scientist has issued a stark warning to bodybuilders after

research has highlighted a concerning rise in sudden death among those who compete professionally. Sudden cardiac death – when someone dies unexpectedly due to a heart problem – is generally

rare among young people, but new research has shown a 'growing number' of early deaths in young male bodybuilders. Authors of the study say their findings highlight the health

risks associated with professional bodybuilding and are calling for greater awareness and prevention within the community. Dr Marco Vecchiato, study lead author from the University of

Padova, Italy said: "I've seen a growing number of reports of premature deaths among people involved in bodybuilding and fitness. "These tragic events, often affecting young

and apparently healthy athletes, highlight a gap in our understanding of the long-term health risks associated with competitive bodybuilding. So far, no study has reported the incidence of

death and sudden death within this sporting discipline." The study looked at records of more than 20,200 male bodybuilders who had competed in at least one bodybuilding event between

2005 and 2020, before looking for reports of deaths of named competitors across web sources like official media reports, social media, bodybuilding forums and blogs. Article continues below

Researchers found 121 deaths, which were verified and analysed by doctors to establish the cause of death. The average age of death was 45 years old, and cardiac death accounted for nearly

40 per cent of mortalities. The study revealed that professional bodybuilders had a fivefold greater risk of cardiac death compared to amateurs, with autopsy reports showing signs of

thickening or enlargement of the heart and coronary artery disease. Dr Vecchiato, a sports and exercise physician, issued a stark message to bodybuilders. He said: "While striving for

physical excellence is admirable, the pursuit of extreme body transformation at any cost can carry significant health risks, particularly for the heart. "Awareness of these risks should

encourage safer training practices, improved medical supervision, and a different cultural approach that firmly rejects the use of performance enhancing substances." Dr Vecchiato

added: "Our findings show that the risk of death among male bodybuilders is considerably high. Professional athletes had a markedly higher incidence of sudden cardiac death, suggesting

that the level of competition might contribute to this increased risk. "Bodybuilding involves several practices that could have an impact on health, such as extreme strength training,

rapid weight loss strategies including severe dietary restrictions and dehydration, as well as the widespread use of different performance-enhancing substances. These approaches can place

significant strain on the cardiovascular system, increase the risk of irregular heart rhythm, and may lead to structural heart changes over time." The research 'underlines the need

for a cultural shift in bodybuilding', the researchers warn, claiming that campaigns are needed about the risks of bodybuilders abusing training stimulant drugs. Article continues

below The authors stress that the findings are 'not an indictment' of fitness culture and strength training, which has shown to be beneficial for health and lower mortality risk.

Instead, the researchers highlight that there are 'hidden risks' of prioritising 'sculpted physiques'. The research was published in the _European Heart Journal_.