Declines in swimming performance with age: a longitudinal study of Masters swimming champions

Secular Changes in Masters Swimming Performances: A 40-Year Follow Up

Archival records of US Masters Swimming performances were examined for changes between 1981 and 2021. Both national records and top 10 swimmers were used. Substantial secular changes were found averaging 0.52%/yr, with women improving more than men and with improvements in national records greater than in the top 10. Performances by women in 2021 were at parity (national records) or near parity (top 10) with men in 1981. The results indicate that secular effects must be considered along with longitudinal age-related changes and cross-sectional cohort effects in interpreting age differences in physiological function.

Origin and age group of the fastest amateur triathletes competing in 'Ironman Hawaii' between 2003 and 2019

Little is known about the prevalent nationalities among the best-placed athletes participating in "Ironman Hawaii." Moreover, the age at which athletes achieve their best performances remains unclear. The present study aimed to compare the prevalent nationalities among the athletes, their respective placement among the top five, and the performance difference between the different age groups in 'Ironman Hawaii' from 2003 to 2019. A total of 30 354 amateur triathletes were selected from the Obsessed Triathlete (OBSTRI) website. A "TOP 5" division filter was applied for further analysis, resulting in 1 851 athletes being included in this study. Among the male runners, Americans participated the most in Ironman events (39%), followed by Germans (10%). Among female runners, Americans participated the most (54%), followed by Australian runners (8%). Male Americans also featured most among the top five (30%), followed by Germans (16%). Female Americans were the most prevalent among the top five (47%), followed by Australian Americans (10%). There were no significant performance differences (p ​> ​0.05) between the 25-29 and 40-44 age groups for either sex. The 45-49 age group presented significantly worse performance than the 35-39 age group for both sexes (p ​< ​0.001). North Americans were the most performant and frequent participants in "Ironman Hawaii." The expected performance decline due to aging was observed after 45 years in both sexes.

Idosos e furiosos

Introdução: O envelhecimento humano interfere diretamente no desempenho do atleta master, portanto, saber em que momento ocorre este declínio de desempenho se torna essencial para a otimização do esporte master. Objetivo: Objetivou-se analisar a taxa de declínio dos tempos de nadadores masters em diferentes categorias etárias (25 a 99 anos). Metodologia: Os dados dos até 8 primeiros colocados dos 50 e 800 metros nado livre de cada categoria participante do Campeonato Brasileiro Master de 2019 foram coletados, totalizando 281 entradas na água. Foi realizada análise descritiva e inferencial. Resultados e discussão: Os 50 metros livre foi a prova com maior número de entradas; observou-se na comparação recordes de categorias vs. recordes nacionais que as maiores diferenças percentuais ocorreram, em geral, a partir dos 60 anos. Este resultado é similar ao da comparação das médias das entradas de cada prova vs. recorde da categoria. Ainda, ao comparar a média das entradas vs. categoria 25-9 anos observou-se no masculino, e no feminino, diferenças significativas com as categorias 65-9 anos até 85-9 anos. Nos 800 livre, maiores diferenças percentuais também foram observadas a partir dos 60 anos para recordes de categorias vs. recordes nacionais. Contudo, ao analisar as médias das entradas de cada prova vs. recordes de cada categoria e ao comparar as médias das entradas vs. categoria 25-9 anos, não se observou diferenças significativas para o feminino, enquanto que para o masculino, esta diferença ocorreu a partir da categoria 60-4 anos. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a queda de desempenho nas provas da natação master analisadas é influenciada, em parte pelo processo de envelhecimento, sexo e a competição de referência.

Gender and Age Patterns in NSGA Swim Competitions

We estimate two common nonlinear models (quadratic and semilog) and one new model (exponential) of the time-age relationship in 500-yard freestyle swim times in the U.S. National Senior Games (ages 50 and up) in six biennial NSGA competitions (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019) for 468 men and 587 women. We use OLS and quantile regression (25%, 50%, and 75%) separately for each gender. The semilog model predicts faster times than the quadratic or exponential models. Our hypothesis that women slow down faster than men after age 50 is supported by both models as well as by our unique within-gender comparisons. Our findings of a nonlinear performance decline agree with studies of elite swimmers (Olympic, FINA). Our first-time study of NSGA data provides new guidelines to inform senior competitors. Our findings will assist trainers and community organizations that support NSGA competitions to promote a healthy senior lifestyle.

Acceleration of Longitudinal Track and Field Performance Declines in Athletes Who Still Compete at the Age of 100 Years

While physical performance decline rates accelerate after around the age of 70 years, longitudinal athletic performance trends in athletes older than 95 years are unknown. We hypothesized a further accelerated decline in human performance in athletes who still perform at the age of 100 years. To investigate this, longitudinal data of all athletes with results at or over the age of 100 years were collected from the “World Master Rankings” data base spanning 2006–2019 (138 results from 42 athletes; 5 women, 37 men; maximum 105 years) and compared to previously published longitudinal data from 80- to 96-year-old athletes from Sweden (1,134 results from 374 athletes). Regression statistics were used to compare performance decline rates between disciplines and age groups. On average, the individual decline rate of the centenarian group was 2.53 times as steep (100 m: 8.22x; long jump: 0.82x; shot put: 1.61x; discus throw: 1.04x; javelin throw: 0.98x) as that seen in non-centenarians. The steepest increase in decline was found in the 100-m sprint (t-test: p < 0.05, no sign. difference in the other disciplines). The pooled regression statistics of the centenarians are: 100 m: R = 0.57, p = 0.004; long jump: R = 0.90, p < 0.001; shot put: R = 0.65, p < 0.001; discus throw: R = 0.73, p < 0.001; javelin throw: R = 0.68, p < 0.001. This first longitudinal dataset of performance decline rates of athletes who still compete at 100 years and older in five athletics disciplines shows that there is no performance plateau after the age of 90, but rather a further acceleration of the performance decline.

Italians Are the Fastest 3000 m Open-Water Master Swimmers in the World

BACKGROUND

It is well known that athletes originating from a specific region or country can master specific sports disciplines (e.g., East-African runners in long-distance running). In addition, physical and athletic performance are the result of an interaction between genetic, environmental and epigenetic factors. However, little is known about on what determines sports success and performance for long-distance master swimmers such as origin. The aim of the study was to investigate the participation and performance trends of elite master open-water swimmers competing in the World Championships (WC) in 3000 m open-water swimming between 1986 and 2019.

METHODS

A total of 9247 valid participants were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) with a gamma probability distribution and log link function. Resultsː Most of the starters were from Italy (1646 participations), followed by the United States of America (USA) (1128 participations) and Germany (959 participations). Swimmers from Italy were significantly faster than swimmers from Canada, Germany, USA, Great Britain and also from all other countries grouped (p < 0.005). The age group from 35-39 years old was significantly faster than athletes from age groups of 25-29 years old, 30-34 years old, 40-44 years old, 45-49 years old and 50-54 years old (p < 0.005). The percentage of local athletes in WC was 36% and varied from 36% (Italy, 2004) to 43 % (Germany), 53% (Italy, 2012) and up to 68 % (USA, 1992).

CONCLUSIONS

Swimmers from Italy were the faster and the most numerous starters during this period of 27 years and 15 editions all over the world in 3000 m master open-water swimming.

Learning from machine learning: prediction of age-related athletic performance decline trajectories

Factors that determine individual age-related decline rates in physical performance are poorly understood and prediction poses a challenge. Linear and quadratic regression models are usually applied, but often show high prediction errors for individual athletes. Machine learning approaches may deliver more accurate predictions and help to identify factors that determine performance decline rates. We hypothesized that it is possible to predict the performance development of a master athlete from a single measurement, that prediction by a machine learning approach is superior to prediction by the average decline curve or an individually shifted decline curve, and that athletes with a higher starting performance show a slower performance decline than those with a lower performance. The machine learning approach was implemented using a multilayer neuronal network. Results showed that performance prediction from a single measurement is possible and that the prediction by a machine learning approach was superior to the other models. The estimated performance decline rate was highest in athletes with a high starting performance and a low starting age, as well as in those with a low starting performance and high starting age, while the lowest decline rate was found for athletes with a high starting performance and a high starting age. Machine learning was superior and predicted trajectories with significantly lower prediction errors compared to conventional approaches. New insights into factors determining decline trajectories were identified by visualization of the model outputs. Machine learning models may be useful in revealing unknown factors that determine the age-related performance decline.

Current Insights in the Age-related Decline in Sports Performance of the Older Athlete

The higher performance level of master athletes compared to non-athletes is often associated with better health throughout life. However, even the physical performance of master athletes declines with age, and this decline accelerates from about the age of 70 years onwards. A progressive loss of muscle mass, declines in force- and power-generating capacity, decreased flexibility, and the concomitant decline in specific tension characterize the muscular changes underlying performance declines. In the cardiovascular system, declines in stroke volume and cardiac output, and cardiac and vascular stiffness contribute to decreasing performance. Recent studies have shown that long-term endurance exercise in master athletes does not only have positive effects, but is associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation, atherosclerotic plaques, and aortic dilation, and even more so in men than in women. Recently, larger longitudinal datasets were analysed and showed that the age-related decline in performance was similar in longitudinal and cross-sectional data. In conclusion, regular physical activity enhances the exercise capacity, and hence quality of life in old age, but it is not without risks.

Longitudinal trends in master track and field performance throughout the aging process: 83,209 results from Sweden in 16 athletics disciplines

In the research of age-related performance declines, the value of cross-sectional versus longitudinal data is an ongoing debate. This paper analyses the largest longitudinal master track and field data set ever published to compare the age-related decline in performance between 16 athletics disciplines in cross-sectional and longitudinal data. The data set contained 83,209 results (64,948 from men, 78.1%; 18,261 from women, 21.9%) from 34,132 athletes (26,186 men, 76.7%; 7946 women, 23.3%), aged 35-97 years. In 61 athletes, 20 or more, and in 312 athletes, 15 or more results were available. The data were analyzed by regression statistics/ANCOVA. Men had a higher performance than women, irrespective of discipline in both cross-sectional and longitudinal data (p < 0.001). The performance in cross-sectional data was lower compared with the longitudinal data in all events and at any age (p ≤ 0.007) except for 1000 m men. The average age was lower in the cross-sectional than the longitudinal data (p < 0.001); men 46 and 58 years, women 44 and 56 years, respectively. The annual percentage rate of decline did not differ significantly between cross-sectional and longitudinal data, or between sexes in most disciplines. Performance declines after age 70 were 1.7 times (men) and 1.4 times (women) as steep as before. In conclusion, although longitudinal master athletics data of athletes with 10 and more results has higher average performance and age compared with cross-sectional data, cross-sectional data give a good impression of the annual percentage decline in performance, which was similar in men and women.

Performance Declines Are Accelerated in the Oldest-Old Track and Field Athletes 80 to 94 Years of Age

Physical performance declines with age, even in exercising, healthy individuals without major illnesses or orthopedic issues. The rate of performance decline is often reported to accelerate after the age of 70 years, but almost no data are available on performance in the fittest oldest-old. To assess their rate of decline in performance, the biggest data set of track and field athletes aged ≥80 years (1567 results) ever published was generated for different disciplines from German Athletics Federations including 1997-2019. Performance at age 80 years of athletes still participating at age 85 years was compared with those who discontinued. Only 1 of every 22 athletes competing at age 80 years still competed at age 90 years. The performance decline was more than three times as steep in athletes aged ≥80 years (on average 1.62%/year, men: 100 m, R = 0.31, p < 0.001; 200 m, R = 0.17, p = 0.037; long jump, R = -0.37, p < 0.001; shot put, R = -0.32, p < 0.001; discus, R = -0.34, p < 0.001; javelin, R = -0.43, p < 0.001; women: shot put, R = -0.24, p = 0.017; discus, R = -0.33, p = 0.010) compared with athletes aged 30-69 years (0.46%/year) and accelerated at an average of 67 years. This accelerated decline was most pronounced in the sprint disciplines and lowest in the throws. Performance at age 80 years was similar in athletes still participating at age 85 years to those who discontinued, and the variability in results was decreased after age 90 years. In conclusion, physical performance declines more than three times as fast after around the age of 67 years compared with before. This was particularly the case for sprinting but was not a result of dropout of poorer performing athletes.

Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to verify the changes in performance, physiological and biomechanical variables throughout a season in master swimmers.

METHODS

Twenty-three master swimmers (34.9 ± 7.4 years) were assessed three times during a season (December: M₁, March: M₂, June: M₃), in indoor 25 m swimming pools. An incremental 5 × 200 m test was used to evaluate the speed at 4 mmol·L^-1 of blood lactate concentration (sLT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), peak blood lactate ([La-]peak) after the test, stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI) and propelling efficiency (η_p). The performance was assessed in the 200 m front crawl during competition.

RESULTS

Swimming performance improved between M₁, M₂ (2%, p = 0.03), and M₃ (4%, p < 0.001). Both sLT and VO_2max increased throughout the season (4% and 18%, p < 0.001, respectively) but not [La-]peak. While SF decreased 5%, SL, SI and η_p increased 5%, 7%, and 6% (p < 0.001) from M₁ to M₃.

CONCLUSIONS

Master swimmers improved significantly in their 200 m front crawl performance over a season, with decreased SF, and increased SL, η_p and SI. Despite the improvement in energetic variables, the change in performance seemed to be more dependent on technical than energetic factors.

Energetics, Biomechanics, and Performance in Masters' Swimmers: A Systematic Review

Ferreira, MI, Barbosa, TM, Costa, MJ, Neiva, HP, and Marinho, DA. Energetics, biomechanics, and performance in masters' swimmers: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 2069-2081, 2016-This study aimed to summarize evidence on masters' swimmers energetics, biomechanics, and performance gathered in selected studies. An expanded search was conducted on 6 databases, conference proceedings, and department files. Fifteen studies were selected for further analysis. A qualitative evaluation of the studies based on the Quality Index (QI) was performed by 2 independent reviewers. The studies were thereafter classified into 3 domains according to the reported data: performance (10 studies), energetics (4 studies), and biomechanics (6 studies). The selected 15 articles included in this review presented low QI scores (mean score, 10.47 points). The biomechanics domain obtained higher QI (11.5 points), followed by energetics and performance (10.6 and 9.9 points, respectively). Stroke frequency (SF) and stroke length (SL) were both influenced by aging, although SF is more affected than SL. Propelling efficiency (ηp) decreased with age. Swimming performance declined with age. The performance declines with age having male swimmers deliver better performances than female counterparts, although this difference tends to be narrow in long-distance events. One single longitudinal study is found in the literature reporting the changes in performance over time. The remaining studies are cross-sectional designs focusing on the energetics and biomechanics. Overall, biomechanics parameters, such as SF, SL, and ηp, tend to decrease with age. This review shows the lack of a solid body of knowledge (reflected in the amount and quality of the articles published) on the changes in biomechanics, energetics, and performance of master swimmers over time. The training programs for this age-group should aim to preserve the energetics as much as possible and, concurrently, improve the technique. Training sessions should feature a higher percentage of technical drills with the goal of enhancing the swim technique. Another goal should be the association of technique enhancement with aerobic and anaerobic sets, enabling the swimmer to improve the swimming efficiency.

Increased participation and improved performance in age group backstroke master swimmers from 25-29 to 100-104 years at the FINA World Masters Championships from 1986 to 2014

Participation and performance trends in age group athletes have been investigated for different sport disciplines, but not for master swimmers. The knowledge on this topic is still missing for a particular stroke such as backstroke. Changes in participation and performance of male and female age group backstroke swimmers (≥25 years) competing in 50, 100 and 200 m pool swimming at the FINA World Masters Championships held between 1986 and 2014 were investigated using mixed-effects regression analyses. The overall participation was n = 26,217 including n = 13,708 women and n = 12,509 men. In 50 m, female (age groups 85–89 years; p = 0.002) and male participation (age groups 55–59; p = 0.030 and 80–84 years; p = 0.002) increased, while female participation decreased in age groups 55–59 (p = 0.010) and 60–64 years (p = 0.050). In 100 and 200 m, participation increased in age groups 45–49, 50–54, 65–69, 70–74, 80–84 years. Swimmers in age groups 25–29 to 95–99 years improved performance over all distances. Women were slower than men in age groups 25–29 to 80–84 years, but not in age groups 85–89 to 95–99 years over all distances. In 50 m and 100 m, the sex difference decreased in age groups 40–44 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.005), 45–49 (p = 0.017 and p = 0.034), 50–54 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.040), to 55–59 years (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004). In 200 m, the sex difference decreased in age groups 40–44 (p = 0.044) and 90–94 (p = 0.011), but increased in age group 25–29 years (p = 0.006). In summary, in age group backstroke swimmers, (1) participation increased or remained unchanged (except women in age groups 55–59 and 60–64 years in 50 m), (2) swimming performance improved in all age groups from 25–29 to 95–99 years over all distances, (3) men were faster than women in age groups 25–29 to 80–84 years (except age groups 85–89 to 95–99 years) over time and all distances.

Performance trends in master freestyle swimmers aged 25-89 years at the FINA World Championships from 1986 to 2014

Performance trends in elite freestyle swimmers are well known, but not for master freestyle swimmers. We investigated trends in participation, performance, and sex difference in performance of 65,584 freestyle master swimmers from 25-29 to 85-89 years competing in FINA World Masters Championships between 1986 and 2014. The men-to-women ratio was calculated for each age group, and the trend across age groups was analyzed using single linear regression analysis. Trends in performance changes were investigated using a mixed-effects regression model with sex, distance, and calendar year as fixed variables. Participation increased in women and men in older age groups (i.e., 40 years and older). Women and men improved race times across years in all age groups and distances. For age groups 25-29 to 75-79 years, women were slower than men, but not for age groups 80-84 to 85-89 years. In 50, 100, and 200 m, women reduced the sex difference from 1986 to 2014 in age groups 30-34 to 75-79 years. In 400 m, women reduced the gap to men across time in age groups 40-44, 45-49, and 55-59 years. In 800 m, sex difference became reduced across time in age groups 55-59 and 70-74 years. In summary, participation increased from 1986 to 2014 in women and men in older age groups, women and men improved across time performance in all distances, and women were not slower compared to men in age groups 80-84 to 85-89 years. We expect a continuous trend in increasing participation and improved performance in master freestyle swimmers.