Study: Football Players More Prone To Sleep Apnea

Researchers Look Into Dangerous Sleep Disorder

BOSTON -- The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and you might think that to play in the big game, you need to be a Superman.

A new study found that what gives professional football players an advantage on the field can be a disadvantage when they hit the sack.

The study suggests some professional football players are tackling a potentially dangerous sleep disorder.

"People think of athletes as being particularly healthy. Well, here are some athletes -- young healthy males -- who actually have a medical condition that is at least potentially serious," said Dr. Paul Gross of the Lahey Clinic.

It's called sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by numerous breathing pauses during sleep. The condition affects about 4 percent of the population.

Wednesday's study, however, found that 14 percent of National Football League players -- and 34 percent of linemen -- suffer from the disorder.

"They're at greater risk probably because their necks are so large," Gross said. "If there is a lot of muscle and/or fat tissue in the neck, then the opening in the back of the throat becomes smaller."

Symptoms include snoring, restless sleep, morning headache and poor concentration. Gross said that the study is a wake-up call.

"It's call for physicians and health care providers to be vigilant and to realize obstructive sleep apnea even with minimal symptoms may be present in many more people than they realize," Gross said.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and, in some cases, stroke.

Additional Resources:

Star Sleeper Campaign
Sleep Tips For Children
Why Sleep Is So Important

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