Question 1

At what age is someone a masters athlete?

Accepted Answer

There is no single cut-off, but a masters athlete is generally taken as aged 35 and over, and the exact age varies by sport. What matters clinically is the age-related physiological change, not the threshold.

Question 2

How much does fitness decline with age in athletes?

Accepted Answer

VO2 max falls by about 10% per decade in healthy sedentary adults. Masters endurance athletes who keep up their training volume lose around 5 to 6.5% per decade, and much of the fall seen in masters athletes tracks reductions in training volume rather than age alone.

Question 3

What injuries are more common in masters athletes?

Accepted Answer

Overuse tendinopathy is common, often of the Achilles and rotator cuff, and bone stress injuries are more likely where bone density has fallen. Muscle strains and OA-related joint pain also become more frequent, particularly when training is increased too quickly.

Question 4

How should masters athletes train?

Accepted Answer

Training is individualised with adequate recovery. Resistance training is central because it counters the loss of muscle mass and supports bone and joints. Some interval work helps preserve VO2 max but may carry higher injury risk, so it is introduced with careful progression and monitoring, alongside attention to protein, bone health and cardiovascular risk.

The Masters Athlete

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