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- Title
Explaining Performance in Elite Middle-Aged Runners: Contributions From Age and From Ongoing and Past Training Factors.
- Authors
Young, Bradley W.; Medic, Nikola; Weir, Patricia L.; Starkes, Janet L.
- Abstract
Researchers have contended that patterns of age-related decline are not necessarily due to age, but rather to disuse, or declining practice (Bortz, 1982; Ericsson, 2000; Maharam, Bauman, Kalman, Skolnik, & Perle, 1999). A regression approach was used to examine age and training variables as predictors of 10-km running performance between 40 and 59 years of age. A sample of 30 Masters runners (M age = 50.1 years, M 10-km time = 39:19) reported data for ongoing training, cumulative running in the past 5 years, and cumulative running earlier in a career. In Analysis 1, ongoing training variables explained more variance in performance than age alone, and reduced the unique variance attributable to age in a combined model. In Analysis 2, findings were replicated using past cumulative running variables and age; running in the past 5 years explained more unique variance than age alone. Discussion focuses on how findings relate to the selective maintenance account (Krampe & Ericsson, 1996), how various aspects of training help to preserve performance in aging populations, and recommendations for future research.
- Subjects
RUNNERS (Sports); TRACK &; field athletes; RUNNING techniques; RUNNING instruction; ATHLETES; OLD age
- Publication
Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 2008, Vol 30, Issue 6, p737
- ISSN
0895-2779
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1123/jsep.30.6.737