Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and sports: a case-control study.
An increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) amongst soccer players in Italy has recently been reported. A case-control study (300 cases and 300 matched controls) was conducted to explore the association between ALS and physical/sports activities, with specific reference to trauma-related risk. Neither the practice of competitive sports nor sports-related traumas were found to be associated with an increased risk of ALS. The practice of physical activities or sports is not per se a risk factor for ALS. Our results exclude sports-related microtraumas as etiopathogenic factors in the natural history of ALS.
Valenti
M
M
Section of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Human Movement and Sports Science, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. valenti@cc.univaq.it
Pontieri
F E
FE
Conti
F
F
Altobelli
E
E
Manzoni
T
T
Frati
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*