Study on ageing athletes enters the next round
- DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine is once again participating in the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC)
- The ‘Track and Field Masters Athletics Cohort’ (TaFMAC) project collects data on masters athletes and contributes to a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of competitive sport at an advanced age
- Registration for the TafMAC study in Gainsville, Florida, 23-30 March 2025
This year, the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine is once again participating in the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC): We are investigating the fitness, training and health of the participating athletes, who are competing in athletics disciplines in the 35+ age groups. This year, the World Indoor Championships will take place from 23 to 30 March in Gainsville, Florida, USA.
It is generally recognised that exercise promotes good health. But what type of training is optimal and what are the 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 contrast to many people who reduce their physical activity in old age, masters athletes often remain active in competitive sport into their 9th decade of life. The ‘Track and Field Masters Athletics Cohort’ (TaFMAC) project collects data on these athletes and contributes to a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of competitive sport at an advanced age. To this end, regular examinations are carried out at athletics championships, which are co-financed by the participating athletes. Once the study is complete, we want to be able to provide athletes and the general population with evidence-based recommendations.
The study started in 2022 and so far three campaigns have been carried out to collect data: 2022 in Tampere (Finland), 2023 in Torun (Poland), 2024 in Gothenburg (Sweden). So far, 673 athletes have taken part. The current campaign will take place from 23-30 March 2025 in Gainesville, Florida (USA).
The study is being led by the Department of Muscle and Bone Metabolism at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine. Internal cooperation partners include the Department of Aerospace Cardiovascular Medicine, the University of Austin/Texas (USA), the University of Sasketchewan (Canada), the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) and the local university in Gainesville.
Further information on the TaFMAC study can also be found in our blog posts from Gothenburg 2024: