Sport for older athletes: DLR collects health data from participants at the World Masters Athletics Championships
| Space
Sport for older athletes: DLR collects health data from participants at the World Masters Athletics Championships
World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg
The World Masters Athletics Championships are taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 13 to 25 August 2024. DLR is investigating the fitness, training and health of the participants, who are all in 35+ age groups.
At check-in, we register athletes for the TaFMAC (Track and Field Masters Athletics Cohort) study and record their data. They receive their schedule for the individual sessions, and we ask for initial information about their training and lifestyle.
This year, the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine is once again taking part in the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC). We are investigating the fitness, training and health of athletes competing in age groups aged 35 years+ across various athletics disciplines. This year's World Championships are being held from 13 to 25 August in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The TaFMAC (Track and Field Masters Athletics Cohort) study team has been attending the European and World Championships for older athletes since 2001, playing a vital role in addressing a significant gap – the limited data available worldwide on athletes performing at this level. This study allows us to assess the benefits and risks of competitive sport beyond the age of 35.
Gait testing
We use the gait test to determine the walking speed of athletes. The clinical analysis is used to diagnose muscle atrophy.
While it is widely accepted that exercise promotes good health, questions remain about the optimum type of training and the associated risks. To answer these questions, we collect data from older athletes on fitness, training habits, nutrition, competition performance, quality of life and medical aspects.
In Gothenburg, during the first week alone, we have already examined 169 athletes across 14 different experiments. These tests have assessed muscle stiffness, jumping ability, resting electrocardiogram (ECG), blood data, resting metabolism, cognitive performance, oxygen uptake under stress, cardiac function and arterial stiffness.
The jump test
We use the jump test to check athletes’ neuromuscular performance. We measure jump height and leg flexibility, along with the reaction force when hopping on one leg.
