Sarah Ford
Study Finds Hormone Problems in Group of Retired NFL Players
By Nathan Fenno
Repeated head injuries among professional football players can lead to hormonal dysfunction and decreased quality of life, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma earlier this month.
The study found 16 of the 68 retired NFL players examined had pituitary hormonal deficiency. Thirty-four of the former players also showed evidence of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that included high blood pressure and high cholesterol that are also associated with low testosterone.
“This is really about quality of life and functioning at an optimal level,” said Dr. Daniel Kelly, the study’s co-author who is director of the Brain Tumor Center at Saint John’s Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute. “If the pituitary gland isn’t working well, they don’t feel well. They don’t think well. It has a real effect on the quality of life.”
The retired players ranged in age from 30 to 65 and had median NFL experience of five seasons. Thirty-seven suffered three or more concussions during their careers.
Â
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Explore More Articles
Corporate Volunteering: The Business Case for an Employee Volunteer Program
Corporate volunteering has evolved well beyond the occasional company service day. A well-designed employee volunteer program can strengthen employee engagement, reinforce company culture, develop leadership skills,…
Environmental Awareness Month
Every September, environmental organizations around the Nation come together in recognition of Environmental Awareness Month, with a goal to raise awareness about environmental issues that…
Join Feeding America and Take Action During Hunger Action Month
No one should have to go hungry in the richest country in the world — yet millions of Americans don’t have enough to eat. Our…
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.
