Pilots live several years longer than the average Swede

“When we worked it all out, we discovered that pilots live four and half years longer than Sweden’s population in general,” says Lars-Åke Brodin, professor of medical technology at KTH.

He is the author of the medical flight safety regulations which apply in Europe and the researcher from KTH that participated in the study.

“The results show that pilots have more than a 50% reduced risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases,” says Lars-Åke Brodin.

The study also shows that blood lipid values among pilots is at roughly the same level as with the rest of the population in general. The number of cancer cases in pilots is neither more nor less. Blood pressure is on average, slightly lower among pilots compared to ordinary people.

According to Lars-Åke Brodin, the results indicate that the physical baseline requirements imposed on pilots is the main reason they live longer.

“The same tough demands are made, irrespective of whether a pilot is 20 or 60 years of age. For example, a 10 km run must be completed within 50 minutes, but there are also other baseline requirements that concern both static muscle loads and physical stamina,” says Lars-Åke Brodin.

He adds that one possible conclusion of the study is that it is scientific proof that exercise promotes people’s health.

The study is a result of a joint effort where Lars-Åke Brodin has worked together with Anette Linnersjö at Karolinska Institutet and Niklas Hammar at AstraZeneca, both of whom are statisticians. Cabin personnel, like mechanics and people who work in other flight-related professions also took part in the study.

For more information, contact Lars-Åke Brodin at lars-ake.brodin@sth.kth.se or ring 08 - 790 48 69.

Peter Larsson