The Influence of Physical Attributes and Ranking on the Life Span of Sumo Wrestlers in the Meiji and Taisho Periods

Abstract

Background Sumo is a traditional Japanese martial art, and wrestlers have different physical characteristics from other athletes due to their unique physique development in competition and dietary instruction. This study examines the effects of body mass index (BMI) and rank on the life expectancy of sumo wrestlers during the Meiji-Taisho period. Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine how BMI and ranks of sumo wrestlers active during the Meiji-Taisho period affected their life expectancy, and to provide health care implications for modern athletes. Method This study was a retrospective cohort study and statistically analyzed the association between BMI and life expectancy by classifying BMI and rank based on the Sumo Yearbook (2019 edition). Result Wrestlers with a standard BMI were observed to have a longer life expectancy than obese wrestlers. In addition, highly ranked rikishi tended to have a better health care environment and had a longer life expectancy. Conclusion. BMI and rank are factors that affect the life expectancy of sumo wrestlers, and obesity increases the risk of shorter life expectancy. These results have important implications for health management in modern athletes.