Aging sports figures such as LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lindsey Vonn resemble high-performance racing cars—constantly fine-tuned by skilled mechanics, data experts, and stocked with numerous replacement components.
Hirofumi Tanaka, an exercise physiologist from the University of Texas at Austin with roots in Japan, shared insights about elite athletes, noting that they now have extensive support systems akin to those found in Formula 1 racing teams.
Recently, James and Vonn have celebrated their 40th birthdays, while Ronaldo will follow suit on February 5. Alongside them is Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 champion, who also just turned 40 as he transitions into a new season with Ferrari.
Tanaka elaborated on the comprehensive care these athletes receive, including services from physical therapists, dietitians, massage therapists, and strength coaches. This multidisciplinary approach significantly contributes to their sustained athletic performance.
Other notable athletes like quarterback Tom Brady, hockey legend Jaromir Jagr, and baseball great Nolan Ryan have also retired at prime conditions well into their 40s. Martina Navratilova famously captured the U.S. Open mixed doubles title in 2006, just shy of her 50th birthday.
Gordie Howe had his last NHL season at the remarkable age of 52, while Kazuyoshi Miura, a Japanese soccer player, is set to turn 58 in February and will continue his professional journey with fourth-tier team Suzuka, marking his 40th year in the sport.
Moreover, Hall of Famer Satchel Paige made history by pitching three scoreless innings in a Major League game at the age of 59 with the Kansas City Athletics back in 1965.
Although this trend isn’t entirely new, its prevalence has increased significantly. More athletes now enjoy sophisticated support systems and the understanding that they can perform effectively for an extended period.
Observing Grand Slam tournaments, one will often see winners and runners-up express gratitude to their extensive support teams, signified by the presence of staff members receiving a round of applause.
In analyzing Olympic performance data from the inaugural modern Games in 1896, Tanaka determined that the peak-performance age for male athletes remains consistent, generally between their 20s and 30s, depending on the sport involved.
However, there is a notable trend of increasing ages among Olympians, especially among women. Tanaka observed that peak-performance ages for female athletes, which were previously lower, are now aligning closer to those of their male counterparts.
This shift is partially attributed to changing societal norms regarding marriage and childbearing, which previously led to earlier exits from competitive sports for women.
There are exceptions, such as Hend Zaza from Syria, who became the youngest athlete at the delayed Tokyo Olympics when she was just 12 years old.
The emergence of so-called Masters athletes offers compelling proof that older athletes are competing successfully alongside younger ones, with no universal age classification as different sports set their own standards.
Tanaka remarked on the growing performance levels of older athletes, stating, “Older athletes are getting closer and closer to younger athletes… the older the Masters athlete is, the greater the improvement.”
LeBron James reportedly expends about $1.5 million each year on health and fitness maintenance, a figure he neither confirms nor denies, but is feasible given his estimated wealth of over $1 billion.
His approach to athletic longevity is also highlighted in the Netflix series “Starting 5,” where he admits that while he may not be improving, he shows minimal decline.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described James as a remarkable talent, noting his relentless work ethic and consistent dedication to his physical health. “He seems to not take a day off… he’s always engaged in some form of body care or conditioning,” Silver added.
Lindsey Vonn, on the other hand, is gearing up for a return to the World Cup skiing circuit armed with a new titanium knee. Unlike James, she has faced periods away from competitive action during her journey, especially following injuries early in her career.
Vonn has also embraced advanced recovery techniques such as ice baths. She feels encouraged by the longevity of fellow athletes like Brady, Hamilton, and Serena Williams, who won her last Grand Slam singles title at 35 during the 2017 Australian Open, while pregnant and keeping it under wraps for months.
“Tom, Lewis, Serena. They’ve all done it,” Vonn noted, underscoring how modern recovery resources allow older athletes to bounce back more quickly than they could in their younger days.
In a recent conversation in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Vonn explained that her fitness regime has changed since her younger years. “My knee doesn’t bother me… I don’t wake up and have to do extensive exercises just to walk out the door.”
She focuses now more on maintaining the overall function of her body rather than overextending herself to accommodate her knee.
