Peak Age and Performance Trajectories in Para Powerlifters

Abstract

Objective: This study established the age-related performance trajectories in Para powerlifters, thereby presenting valuable information for athlete development. Design: Data on athlete date of birth, body mass, and weight lifted in competition were analyzed for 2079 athletes between 1994 and 2019.Results: Age-related performance trajectories showed that men and women lift their heaviest weights in competition at 36 and 41 yrs of age, respectively. This correspond to the mean age of competitors in the heaviest bodyweight categories at elite competitions (men 36 yrs, women 43 yrs), who were older than competitors in lighter bodyweight categories. It is possible that para powerlifters "move up" bodyweight categories as they get older and before lifting their heaviest weights in competition. High-performing athletes lifted their heaviest weight in competition 2.6 yrs earlier than lower performing peers, and the best performances in most bodyweight categories were achieved by athletes between 31 and 35 yrs of age. Conclusions: These results suggest that para powerlifters should reach their peak performance in their early to mid-30s and before age-related changes to neural and hormonal processes impact muscular strength. This information can help coaches and athletes evaluate their strategies for achieving success in para powerlifting.

How Do Intracompetition Strategies Differ Between Para Powerlifting Podium and Nonpodium Athletes? A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…We reported that POD athletes were younger than their NPOD counterparts for men and women. This finding is consistent with previous research reporting that high-performing athletes are younger than their low-performing counterparts (8,12). Similarly, Keogh et al (6) previously reported that stronger athletes are younger than their less strong counterparts (although not statistically significant).…”

“…There is a lack of evidence surrounding the sport of PPL, particularly regarding intracompetition strategies. There is some evidence pertaining to nonmodifiable factors, such as the age and sex of elite para powerlifters, which can be used to map the trajectory of their respective careers (12). In addition, research into the anthropometric profiles of elite PPL athletes has been used to demonstrate the relationship between the athlete's upper limb cross-sectional area and their respective 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (4).…”

A Bibliometrics-Enhanced, PAGER-Compliant Scoping Review of the Literature on Paralympic Powerlifting: Insights for Practices and Future Research

“…Evidence drawn from the studies overviewed in the present review confirms that PP is a safe sports discipline that can be practiced by people with disabilities [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ]. However, the data revealed a high rate of chronic overuse injuries of the upper limbs among PP athletes, with the highest injury incidence rate among all other sports, second only to 5-a-side football [ 69 ].…”

“…Seven studies [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] were excluded with reason ( n = 2, not reporting sufficient details; n = 5, not disaggregating data according to para-sports discipline). Finally, 37 studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ] were retained in the present scoping review. We found that the included studies focused on a range of aspects involving health, classification, the etiology of injuries, and performance.…”

“…Severin et al [ 56 ] conducted a retrospective study with a dual aim: (1) to determine the average age of and weight lifted by 2079 athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games and World Championships, stratified by gender and body weight category and (2) to establish the age-related trajectory of the performance and derive estimates of the age at peak performance. Regarding the first aim, the authors found that the mean age for men and women in the heaviest body weight categories was 36 and 43 years, respectively.…”