This peculiarity has been observed among top athletes (who live longer) and “super-centenarians” and reinforces the idea that the increase in life expectancy is limited.
Researchers from the Institute for Biomedical Research and Sports Epidemiology (Irmes) analyzed the medical data of 1,205 global “super-centenarians” (125 men and 1,080 women) born from 1899 and died in 2013.
To complete their research, the scientists also analyzed the medical data of 19,012 athletes who participated in the Olympic Games since 1896 (date of the first Olympic Games) and died in 2013. Indeed, these athletes have a life expectancy longer than their fellow citizens.
There is a ceiling for life expectancy
“There is a kind of plateau among Olympic athletes from 80 to 85 years old, while among super-centenarians the ceiling is around 115 years” explains Juliana Antero-Jacquemin, the researcher co-author of the study.
“The results of this study suggest that there is a physiological barrier in the process of being reached, at the crossroads of interactions between a constant genetic heritage and a deteriorating environment” underlines Juliana Antero-Jacquemin. “It strengthens the case for a limited life span.”
“As the number of people studied is relatively small and the observation period is limited and therefore, the observed trend could only be transitory” conclude the researchers.
Europeans live on average to 76 years. Even though there are significant disparities, nine of the ten countries with the highest life expectancy in the world are in Europe, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This report also reveals that Europeans have won no less than five years oflife expectancy in 30 years, going from 71 years in 1980 to 76 years in 2010.
However, the WHO remains less optimistic for the years to come: the economic crisis and its consequences could put the progress made to the test. “A possible scenario which would consist in that economic or social crises are coupled with reductions in health spending,” she concludes.
