Overtraining and Sudden Death

The recent death of top distance runner Ryan Shay during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials thrust the issue of sudden death in fit, highly trained athletes back into the news. Art De Vany attempts to find what the causes are, and how common it actually is.

I have searched for a good source on sudden death in athletes for some time now. Finally, I found an excellent one put up by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Sudden Death in Athletes.

The most common cause is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). That large, slow-beating "athletic" heart may kill you. So can alcohol, energy drinks, and steroids. Which activity is most dangerous? You may see why I play tennis now. Weight lifting didn't make the grade, but competitive lifting is such a small sport. In part, the sports with the most participation rank highest. Read more