A 10-year study to assess fitness, training and health in master athletes
The aim of this study with older athletes is to record the benefits and risks of competitive sports beyond the age of 35. Based on this information, recommendations for preventative and medical training measures can be derived.
Background of the TaFMAC study
It is widely accepted that exercise promotes health. But what type of training is optimal and what are the risks? To answer this question, we collect data on fitness, training habits, nutrition, competition performance, quality of life and medical aspects from older athletes.
TaFMAC
TaFMAC’s study rationale: The interplay between fitness, athletics, health aspects and their relation with disease and societal aspects.
In contrast to many people who reduce their physical activity as they age, masters athletes often remain active in competitive sports well into their 9th decade. The 'Track and Field Masters Athletics Cohort' (TaFMAC) project collects data from these athletes and contributes to a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of competitive sports at an advanced age. For this purpose, examinations are regularly carried out at athletics championships, which are co-financed by the participating athletes.
After completing the study, we want to be able to give evidence-based recommendations to athletes, but also to the general population.
The study started in 2022 and has so far conducted two campaigns to collect data, namely 2022 in Tampere (Finland) and 2023 in Torun (Poland), in which 469 athletes have taken part so far. The next campaign will be conducted in July 2024 in Gothenburg (Sweden).
The study is being carried out by the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine’s Department of Muscle and Bone Metabolism. The internal cooperation partner is the Department of Cardiovascular Aerospace Medicine, further partners are the Universities of Austin/Texas (USA), the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) and the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) as well as the local universities in Torun and Gothenburg.
