Exercise Considerations for the Masters Female Athlete

Abstract

Female participation in sport as a masters athlete has grown considerably in recent years. Functional losses and physiological changes in the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems that occur with female aging require recognition and thoughtful exercise prescription. In working with this population, the strength and conditioning professional should be able to recognize the biology of aging, factors affecting recovery and performance, and application of appropriate training parameters to keep the female athlete in their sport while mitigating the effects of aging and maximizing performance. This special populations article outlines key age-related changes in the female athlete and presents comprehensive, practical training guidelines for this growing population.