Aging Athlete

Question 1

What are some common MSK considerations for older athletes?

Answer 1

• OA is common
• Bone mineral density loss (less loss in older athletes who do resitive training)
• muscle fiber changes and addition of fat can cause visual differences in athletes
• less force production secondary to loss of type 2 fibers (somewhat activity specific in the regards that lifters experience less strength decline and runner experience less endurance decline)

Question 2

What are some common Cardiopulmonary considerations for older athletes?

Answer 2

• Physically active adults show less decline in VO2 max

- smaller changes in physiologic functional capacity are seen in those who exercise with increase volume and intensity

Question 3

True or False: Older adults are more likely to tear a ligament than sustain a fracture

Answer 3

False, more likely to sustain a fracture than rupture a ligament due to decrease in bone mineral density

Question 4

True or False: Older adults are more likely to tear or avulse a muscle than strain it due to increased collagenous stiffness.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True or False: macrotrauma (acute or traumatic injuries) is more common in older adults than microtrauma

Answer 5

False, microtrauma is more common

Question 6

What is considered microtrauma?

Answer 6

muscle strains, bursitis, and tendinopathies (overuse injuries)

Question 7

True or False: Because older athletes are stiffer (less flexible), have arthritic changes, and have less shock absorption and protection they are more prone to overuse injuries than the younger population

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or false: OA is more common in the older athlete than normal aging adult population due to overuse.

Answer 8

False, the rates of OA are equal for athletes and non-athletes in aging population

Question 9

What should PT treatment focus on for older athletes w/ OA?

Answer 9

progressive resistance exercise, patient education on functional activities that minimize compression and shear (cycling, rowing, swimming, walking, and cross training)

Question 10

True or False: total joint arthroplasties are being seen at younger ages and are associated w/ improved function, quality of life, and longer life in older athletes who are trying to return to sport.

Answer 10

true

Question 11

What are some Norm Referenced Tests for senior athletes?

Answer 11

Senior Fitness Test
YMCA fitness Test
ACSM Fitness Test

Question 12

True or False: Manual Therapy for joint mobility and soft tissue restrictions should be avoided in older athletes due to high rate of unknown co-morbidities

Answer 12

False, manual therapy can be used as long as there are no contraindications

Question 13

Should older athletes be stretching?

Answer 13

Yes it is imperative to warm up and include stretching in the warm up

cool down stretching is better though and 60 seconds is better than 30 seconds for older adults