Regular Decline in Physical Working Capacity with Age

Abstract

Analysis of the results of two cross country races, one on foot and one on skis, in which nearly 10,000 men competed showed that performance is very closely matched with age. There is a decrease of 5–10% in the performance every 10 years from optimum age for the event. This optimum varies for different types of physical activity. Studies in a small group of women showed similar variations. © 1973, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.