Guys I was just wondering in your respective opinions what is usually the general burnout age for atheletes. Of course each sport is going to differ from Baseball to MMA, to Football.
I just find it fascinating and it must be damn disappointing when your body can no longer do what you will it to. I find it particularly interesting in MMA not so much the age burnout but a fighter not evolving and getting dominated, such as Kevin Randleman as much as I like the guy.
[quote]texass wrote:
I’m 22 and past my prime in the two sports I competed in. I still do them but as far as competing, its not going to happen.[/quote]
Really? What are those two sports?
For most athletes 22 is an absolute prime age, I would say prime ages seem to range from 20-35.
[quote]texass wrote:
I’m 22 and past my prime in the two sports I competed in. I still do them but as far as competing, its not going to happen.[/quote]
Hmmmm, the only thing I can think of is gymnastics.
[quote]carter12 wrote:
Whoops, maybe you’re talking about just being physically unable to compete any more? Sorry, it’s been a long time since I’ve been up this early…[/quote]
Burnout and age where your body declines are 2 different things. This thread seems to be about both.
“Burnout” (not due to physical factors) depends on the person, their values, and external factors. For me, “burnout” came on full-bore after the birth of my son. Athletic competition had been a focal point of my life. That all changed.
It was not a conscious thing. I just found myself more motivated to spend time with him than to train, although I still made time for both, I found the intensity was just not there.
I miss the competition and I’m getting back to it. But I know that I’ll never be the guy I was. I just don’t have the fire. I’m interested to see what happens when meet day rolls around. What kind of guy will I be compared to the guy I was?
Physical burnout, or more accurately, phyical decline? That started when I was about 23. Hastened by injuries. But you notice your body not doing things that you mind thinks it can do right around 30. Running is not quite so free and easy. Jumping (and landing) ain’t what it used to be. You have to warm-up (for those of us who NEVER did before…at least not REALLY).
But, hey. That’s part of it, right? Rage against the dying of the light and all that? Performance is a lifelong competition against yourself. Understand that and you will always benefit from it.
It really depends on the sport. I do Wing Chun, and now several instructors who are over 40 and can still kick ass. On the other hand, many soccer players have to stop around 35, because they can’t keep up with the younger players. Gymnastics are even more extreme, most girls have to stop competing before they’re even twenty. Guys may last a little longer, but gymnastics is an extreme example for only very young people being able to compete.
I was always told that in bodybuilding or martial arts it is best if they are not the focus of your life, but a compliment. Otherwise burnout becomes an issue.
Of course that wouldn’t apply if you’re an instructor. For everybody else, if you read long enough, they feel the need to take some time off sooner or later. Why not ease up and have a non stop lifelong love with your sport?
[quote]Hack Wilson wrote:
“Burnout” (not due to physical factors) depends on the person, their values, and external factors. For me, “burnout” came on full-bore after the birth of my son. Athletic competition had been a focal point of my life. That all changed.
It was not a conscious thing. I just found myself more motivated to spend time with him than to train, although I still made time for both, I found the intensity was just not there.
I miss the competition and I’m getting back to it. But I know that I’ll never be the guy I was. I just don’t have the fire. I’m interested to see what happens when meet day rolls around. What kind of guy will I be compared to the guy I was?
Physical burnout, or more accurately, phyical decline? That started when I was about 23. Hastened by injuries. But you notice your body not doing things that you mind thinks it can do right around 30. Running is not quite so free and easy. Jumping (and landing) ain’t what it used to be. You have to warm-up (for those of us who NEVER did before…at least not REALLY).
But, hey. That’s part of it, right? Rage against the dying of the light and all that? Performance is a lifelong competition against yourself. Understand that and you will always benefit from it.[/quote]
Nice post Hack! I noticed the onslaught of injuries can aid in that takedown. Was this football, if so I can see why.
Don’t worry Carter no biggie, and I didn’t explain it correctly in my first post. I meant mental burnout and physical burnout/aging.
[quote]EmperialChina wrote:
Hack Wilson wrote:
“Burnout” (not due to physical factors) depends on the person, their values, and external factors. For me, “burnout” came on full-bore after the birth of my son. Athletic competition had been a focal point of my life. That all changed.
It was not a conscious thing. I just found myself more motivated to spend time with him than to train, although I still made time for both, I found the intensity was just not there.
I miss the competition and I’m getting back to it. But I know that I’ll never be the guy I was. I just don’t have the fire. I’m interested to see what happens when meet day rolls around. What kind of guy will I be compared to the guy I was?
Physical burnout, or more accurately, phyical decline? That started when I was about 23. Hastened by injuries. But you notice your body not doing things that you mind thinks it can do right around 30. Running is not quite so free and easy. Jumping (and landing) ain’t what it used to be. You have to warm-up (for those of us who NEVER did before…at least not REALLY).
But, hey. That’s part of it, right? Rage against the dying of the light and all that? Performance is a lifelong competition against yourself. Understand that and you will always benefit from it.
Nice post Hack! I noticed the onslaught of injuries can aid in that takedown. Was this football, if so I can see why.
Don’t worry Carter no biggie, and I didn’t explain it correctly in my first post. I meant mental burnout and physical burnout/aging.[/quote]
[quote]EmperialChina wrote:
texass wrote:
For most athletes 22 is an absolute prime age, I would say prime ages seem to range from 20-35.[/quote]
Huh? At 22, the athlete doesn’t know enough to be in his prime.
Was Michael Jordan playing at his best when he was 22? Larry Bird? Tito Ortiz? Frank Shamrock? Royce Gracie? Rickson Gracie? Fedor Emelianenko?
Other than Tyson, I can’t think of anyone in his “prime” at such a tender age. How did you arrive at that number?
Conventional wisdom is that 26-31 are the prime years - at least in combat sports. You’re experienced enough to know what you’re doing, and you’re young enough that your joints and other body parts don’t fail you.
Sure, lots of guys are fighting past 31. But we’re talking about prime.
[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
EmperialChina wrote:
texass wrote:
For most athletes 22 is an absolute prime age, I would say prime ages seem to range from 20-35.
Huh? At 22, the athlete doesn’t know enough to be in his prime.
Was Michael Jordan playing at his best when he was 22? Larry Bird? Tito Ortiz? Frank Shamrock? Royce Gracie? Rickson Gracie? Fedor Emelianenko?
Other than Tyson, I can’t think of anyone in his “prime” at such a tender age. How did you arrive at that number?
Conventional wisdom is that 26-31 are the prime years - at least in combat sports. You’re experienced enough to know what you’re doing, and you’re young enough that your joints and other body parts don’t fail you.
Sure, lots of guys are fighting past 31. But we’re talking about prime.[/quote]
I met body/health wise. As that was a response to texass about her inability to physically perform a sport she was able to do when she was 19 as she said (wushu, external kung fu, gymnastics). I was surprised she couldn’t still perform the sport physically at 22 as health wise (not experience) it seemed to be a solid age.
I believe that good studies have shown that pure reflexes start to diminish as early as 19-22 but this can be delayed.
Most athletes are probably losing some reflexes every year, but making up for it in other ways-strength, experience etc.
So your reflexes are going from the end of your teens but your strength can increase up to 35 or even longer-basically if you did everything right, you would peak in strength between 35-40, but many people never peaked and so they can keep improving into their 40s.
Power to strength ratio will drop because over your lifespan you are always losing white muscle fibers-old people have a higher percentage of slow muscle fiber.
I would guess that the dominant athletes in most sports today are in their early 30s say 32-35 which is older than it was say in the 60s.
Personally, I am 35 1/2 and I am stronger in the weight room than at any time prior in my life. I probably could be as fast in a straight ahead sprint and match my verticle or broad jump.
I have definitely lost a lot of flexibility, reflexes, and some coordination.
I could match my best endurance.
The hardest things at age 35 are
It is harder to lose weight. At 29, I lost 32 pounds in about 10 weeks-no problem. Right now, my metabolism slows down sooner when I cut back my calories. I could cut back 20% and not lose any weight. Basically, there is less margin of error for diet.
If you have let your flexibility go-as I have-it is a real pain getting it back.
You need to get good eating habits, and a flexibily program before you are 30!!!
Other than that, I think that most people can go to 40 barring injury without any difinitive peak.
By the way, I question whether it is appropriate for the rules of a sport to favor individuals who are not fully grown adults (ie female gymnastics). Its still fun to watch.