Date: Thursday 10 June 2021
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm BST

This report launch shared our new findings on the longevity of sporting legends, supported by The Business School (formerly Cass City, University of London) based on new research by Professor Les Mayhew, Head of Global Research at ILC.  

This webinar was chaired by: Sir Brendan Foster CBE, Chairman of the Great Run Company and founder of the Great North Run

Speakers included:

• Alan Smith, former professional footballer for Arsenal and England
• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, Paralympian and Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords
• Scott Reid, Global Protection & Analytics Actuary at Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, and marathon enthusiast
• Professor Chris Brady, Chief Intelligence Officer at Sportsology and formerly Professor of Management Studies at Salford University
• Andy Maud, National Partnerships Lead, Health and Inactivity, Sport England
• Professor Les Mayhew, Head of Global Research ILC and Professor of Statistics at The Business School (formerly Cass City, University of London)

The usual assumption is that sport is good for your health but is it also good for longevity – will you live longer?  This research investigates the longevity of sporting legends who have reached the pinnacle of their profession in seven hugely popular sports each with a global reach and following.  

We already know that participation in sport has many advantages. For example, it can be a route out of poverty if played to a professional level and have a positive influence on the development of younger generations and encourage leadership qualities. However, the evidence base linking sporting prowess on the playing field in the ring or on the racetrack to longevity in the wider population is missing.   

During this webinar, we shared our new findings on: 

• The impact of professional sport on longevity 
• How different sports fare when it comes to life expectancy and change through time
• Wider implications for the role of physical exercise in healthy ageing strategies