Geezers as guinea pigs: When do we get something back?
Every few years, a couple fresh-faced college kids show up at masters nationals, sitting behind a card table and asking our help. “Would you please complete this 120-page questionnaire on every competition you’ve ever entered?” Or something like that. Usually, we graciously assent. Academic types don’t often take our measure, we figure. Might as well help the young’ns. But I’m getting tired of this drill becuz we rarely see the results of these studies.
This came to mind when Dave Clingan sent me word on yet another research study, which he spotted on the European Masters Championships Web site.
This is what he saw:
RESEARCH PROJECT
Scientific research project will be made by research workers of the University School of Physical Education. We intend to investigate physiological, biomechanical, anthropological and social aspects of physical fitness and physical activity in athletics veterans.
We want to measure, inter alia, endurance capacity, body composition (fat mass, fat free mass, water and other components), speed abilities, coordination, technical aspects of running, jumping and throwing. You will be asked to fill in questionnaires concerning social background and determinants of regular vigorous physical activity in (middle-) aged men and women as well as life style questions. You can take advantage of this investigation examining the
general state of Your physical and mental health and fitness.
We encourage all participants (and accompanying persons) to take part in this investigation. In this way, you will contribute to the development of the scientific research concerning the improvement of life quality and the prevention of negative results of ageing. You are an exemplary group of people that present a positive, healthy life style worthy of research and propagation in our less and less physically active contemporary societies.
Me again:
In 2004, grad students from Canada’s McMaster University handed out thick surveys at the Decatur masters nationals, but I haven’t seen what they”ve produced. USATF also does regular surveys in masters demographics. Haven’t seen those results lately either.
Fine. Let’s help the geezer scholars. But let’s start insisting that the results of this research not be hoarded. You taketh stats, you giveth info.
Fair enough?
2 Responses
fair enough indeed. There was a medical study conducted by some German medical college at the WMA meet in San Sebastian. They did a variety of tests upon the volunteers. It took some time as they were rather disorganized but the positive thing I took from it was the validation of bone density studies I have had in the states. As for the rest of the tests – how how could one jump, how much force upon landing, who knows what will become of that. It would be interesting to know. Perhaps one of the requirements for having “access” to athletes at track meets for study subjects should be the requirement that results be sent-emailed to all who request it. Some will care, some will not.
I am a professor of kinesiology at Cal State U, Chico and a masters athlete (m55 discus). Most of these studies are done by graduate students working on their theses or dissertations or young faculty member trying to get published. Unfortunately, most have not learned that they have an obligation to send research subjects a summary of the results. In spite of their rudeness, I urge masters athletes to participate in these studies because they add to the body of knowledge on sport, exercise, and aging.
There are many research issues vital to masters athletes. One of the most pressing is the issue of doping, aging, anti-aging therapies. The case of the poor woman at Gateshead who was humiliated for taking a medication prescribed for her health is unconscionable. Athletes shouldn’t have to make the choice between health and optimal function and competing in track and field competitions. Most of us compete to maintain at least some of the vigor of youth.
Soon we will have gene therapies that will prevent sarcopenia (loss of muscle with aging) that will greatly improve the quality of life of aging adults. These therapies may be barred to us because of the doping regulations established for young athletes. This subject is taboo in many circles but these therapies will be a medical reality.
Masters are different than young athletes: we are experiencing the physical decline that accompanies aging, we often require medications (to keep us alive or to improve the quality of life); and we may have different motivations. We need more studies of masters athletes and older people in general. I want to break the 100-M world record in the discus with a throw of at least 150 feet. First, I have to live that long. Second, we need better artificial joints.
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