The Masters Athlete

Masters athletes are those that continue to train and compete, typically at a high level, beyond the age of thirty-five and into middle and old age. As populations in the industrialized world get older and governments become increasingly keen to promote healthy aging and non-pharmacological interventions, the study of masters athletes enables us to better understand the benefits of, and motivations for, life-long involvement in physical activity. This is the first book to draw together current research on masters athletes. The Masters Athlete examines the evidence that cognitive skills, motor skills and physiological capabilities can be maintained at a high level with advancing age, and that age related decline is slowed in athletes that continue to train and compete in their later years. Including contributions from leading international experts in physiology, motor behaviour, psychology, gerontology and medicine, the book explores key issues such as: motivation for involvement in sport and physical activity across the lifespan evidence of lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes the maintenance of performance with age. Challenging conventional views of old age, and with important implications for policy and future research, this book is essential reading for students and practitioners working in sport and exercise science, aging and public health, human development, and related disciplines.

Addresses the Aging Process and Its Effect on Sports PerformanceAge-related changes influence all physiological systems, including those used during exercise and sport. Highlighting masters athletes-older adults who train and compete in organized sports-Nutrition and Performance in Masters Athletes examines the extent to which regular physical trai

This book is a foundational resource for all coaches and student coaches who are, or who plan to be, working with Masters athletes. This athletic cohort typically includes adults over the age of 35 years who are registered for sport programs/events, and who invest in training to improve themselves for competitions that range from recreational to championship caliber. As the boom in Masters sport continues worldwide, coaches are increasingly tasked with the development and support of adults' quality sport experiences, and the implementation of strategies to foster skill acquisition and to facilitate their pursuit of competitive goals. This book presents what is different about coaching Masters athletes and prompts coaches to expand their scope of practice beyond traditional knowledge associated with youth or younger adult cohorts. It is essential for coaches to understand the psychological and social considerations that are unique to coaching adult sports-persons and Masters athletes, and that can be adapted to adults whose training and preparation for competition is quite varied. Coaching Masters Athletes: Advancing Research and Practice in Adult Sport explores the research and practice specific to planning to coach Masters athletes and divulges what is known about distinctive considerations for delivering coaching interventions to this cohort, expanding on coaches' abilities to influence adults' personal development, as well as their own coach education through Masters Sport. Readers and students of Coaching, Physical Activity, Health Psychology, Sport Leadership and Exercises Science will gain valuable applied perspectives grounded in best practice research on how to coach one of the fastest-growing sporting cohorts, to promote quality adult sport, and to keep adult sports-persons engaged and active as they age.

As athletes grow older, their bodies respond differently to exercise. This book by Dr Peter Reaburn - sports scientist and self-confessed crazy competitive masters athlete - addresses an area previously ignored: how to keep a competitive edge and slow the inevitable age-related decline in performance. The book guides readers through approaches to eating, recovering, and training that are based on sound science. Discovering the key to successful aging helps readers develop speed, strength and endurance, as well as building a better understanding the physical changes of aging.

It’s an undisputed fact that the body’s physiological needs change as you age. But that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to compete and perform at your best. In High-Performance Nutrition for Masters Athletes, you’ll find practical advice for fueling your active lifestyle—now and for decades to come. The key to effectively adapting your nutrition plans is first understanding how needs change over time and how expected results shift through the decades. Explore the science behind proper fueling for training and competition with the current guidelines for carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake plus advice on proper hydration, avoiding the dangers of underfueling, and nutrition for optimal recovery. High-Performance Nutrition for Masters Athletes will then take you inside the fueling strategies for precompetition, competition, and recovery: Gain an understanding of the need for different types or amounts of nutrients at different times and get easy-to-follow guidance on how to meet those needs. Learn how to energize with carbohydrate, build muscle with protein, and meet your hydration needs for optimal athletic performance. Know the role vitamins, minerals, and supplements can play in a nutrition plan and how devastating underfueling can be to athletic performance. Understand how chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease affect nutritional needs. Use the sample meal plans to help customize meals and snacks and reset eating habits to meet the needs of training and competition. Plus, throughout the book you will find accounts of amazing individuals—both well-known elite athletes and Olympians and everyday athletes—who have adapted their nutrition and training regimes to stay at the top of their game year in and year out. Comprehensive yet practical, High-Performance Nutrition for Masters Athletes provides the latest research, guidance, and strategies that you need to train harder, perform stronger, and recover faster. Fuel smart, and never let age slow you down. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Renowned running authority, coach, and best-selling author Pete Pfitzinger teams with Philip Latter, senior writer for Running Times, in this must-have training guide for the most popular race distances, including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Faster Road Racing: 5K to Half Marathon presents easy-to-follow programs proven to give you an edge in your next race. You’ll discover detailed plans for race-specific distances as well as expert advice on balancing training and recovery, cross-training, nutrition, tapering, and training over age 40. And for serious runners who compete in numerous races throughout the year, Pfitzinger’s multi-race, multi-distance training plans are invaluable. Faster Road Racing is your all-inclusive resource on running your fastest at distances of 5K, 8K to 10K, 15K to 10 miles, and the half marathon.

A comprehensive resource for fitness and competitive runners aged 30 and older, Mastering Running proves that age is no obstacle to excellence. With information and advice on topics that matter most to older runners, Mastering Running provides master-specific drills, exercises, and training plans.

Masters athletes are those that continue to train and compete, typically at a high level, beyond the age of thirty-five and into middle and old age. As populations in the industrialized world get older and governments become increasingly keen to promote healthy aging and non-pharmacological interventions, the study of masters athletes enables us to better understand the benefits of, and motivations for, life-long involvement in physical activity. This is the first book to draw together current research on masters athletes. The Masters Athlete examines the evidence that cognitive skills, motor skills and physiological capabilities can be maintained at a high level with advancing age, and that age related decline is slowed in athletes that continue to train and compete in their later years. Including contributions from leading international experts in physiology, motor behaviour, psychology, gerontology and medicine, the book explores key issues such as: motivation for involvement in sport and physical activity across the lifespan evidence of lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes the maintenance of performance with age. Challenging conventional views of old age, and with important implications for policy and future research, this book is essential reading for students and practitioners working in sport and exercise science, aging and public health, human development, and related disciplines.