Question: 

Elite sport is getting more and more attractive for senior athletes. Since less is known on alterations of physiological function capacity at older age, we investigated age-dependent alterations in track-and-field as well as in swimming elite athletes.

Methodology: 

Age-dependent (15–65 years) alterations of physiological function capacity of male and female track-and-field athletes in running, jumping and throwing disciplines were obtained from the data base of the 'Deutsche Leichtathletik Verband, DLV'. We analysed the five best values achieved for each year between 2005–2009 (cross-sectional design).

Results: 

Running capacity remained stable between 15–25 years. Age-dependent decline of running function started at 30 years for short distances but 40 years for the marathon distances in both, men and women. In contrast, no stable period of physiological function capacity was achieved for all jumping disciplinces. Jumping distance/height was increased until the age of 25 years and directly declined thereafter. The major age-dependent decline was observed for pole vault, especially female high jumpers. In contrast, in free style swimming (no weight bearing physical exercise) age-dependent decline started at 40 years for short (50 m) and long (1500 m) distances in men and women. Thereafter, a stable age dependent but gender-independent decline between 5–10% was observed in short- and long distance free style swimming.

Conclusion: 

The age-dependent decline of physiological function capacity varies within various disciplines but was similar in men and women. Age-dependent decline of physiological function capacity seems to be most pronounced in jumping and less pronounced in long distance running or swimming disciplines.