P Jokl1, P M Sethi, A J Cooper. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Yale University, Yale Physicians Building, 800 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512, USA. peter.jokl@yale.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physical activity in older people is believed to slow down the natural aging process through its effects on disuse atrophy. OBJECTIVES: To show that elite master (age above 50) male and female athletes, as a group, have improved their running times over the last two decades at a greater rate than their younger counterparts. METHODS: Running time, age, and sex of all 415,000 runners in the New York City Marathon from 1983 to 1999 were examined using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The number of master participants increased at a greater rate than their younger counterparts (p<0.05). Running times for the top 50 male and female finishers over the past two decades showed significantly greater improvement in the master groups than in the younger age groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the New York City Marathon is increasing at a higher rate in the master groups than in other age groups. Male and female masters continued to improve running times at a greater rate than the younger athletes, whose performance levels have plateaued. This is the largest study to compare master athletic performance with younger counterparts and men with women.
BACKGROUND: Physical activity in older people is believed to slow down the natural aging process through its effects on disuse atrophy. OBJECTIVES: To show that elite master (age above 50) male and female athletes, as a group, have improved their running times over the last two decades at a greater rate than their younger counterparts. METHODS: Running time, age, and sex of all 415,000 runners in the New York City Marathon from 1983 to 1999 were examined using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The number of master participants increased at a greater rate than their younger counterparts (p<0.05). Running times for the top 50 male and female finishers over the past two decades showed significantly greater improvement in the master groups than in the younger age groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the New York City Marathon is increasing at a higher rate in the master groups than in other age groups. Male and female masters continued to improve running times at a greater rate than the younger athletes, whose performance levels have plateaued. This is the largest study to compare master athletic performance with younger counterparts and men with women.
Authors: Floortje Celie; Miriam Faes; Maria Hopman; Anton F H Stalenhoef; Marcel G M Olde Rikkert Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act Date: 2010-03-07 Impact factor: 3.878