Sex- And Age-based Differences In Running Performance Among High-functioning Older Adults

PURPOSE: This study investigated differences in running performance (i.e., 50-meter dash) among high-functioning older adults as a function of sex and age. METHODS: Data from the last five National Senior Games (a biennial event for adults aged 50 and older) related to the 50-meter dash event were analyzed, with a focus on individuals aged 60 years and over. Age groups were categorized into 5-year increments (e.g., 60-64, 65-69) following the games age categories, with participants aged 80 and older grouped together. ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc analyses were conducted to examine sex and age group differences in running performance. Data were analyzed using Stata 18 and significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1,354 participants (39.7% female) aged 60 years and over were included in the final analysis. The overall mean performance was 9.25 ± 2.88 seconds for males and 11.78 ± 8.12 seconds for females. ANOVA revealed significant differences by sex (F = 98.32, P < 0.001) and age group (F = 78.65, P < 0.001) in running performance, as well as a significant sex x age group interaction (F = 11.84, P < 0.001). Subsequent post-hoc analysis showed significant performance differences among age groups over 75 years (P < .05), except between the 75-79 and 70-74 age groups. No significant performance differences (P > .05) were found across age groups under the age of 75. The sex x age group performance difference for females compared to males showed significant differences in the 75-79 and 80+ age groups, but not in the younger groups. The detailed results were as follows: 60-64 (1.39 seconds [95% CI -0.55, 3.32]), 65-69 (1.83 seconds [95% CI -0.06, 3.72]), 70-74 (1.72 seconds [95% CI -0.41, 3.85]), 75-79 (2.68 seconds [95% CI 0.29, 5.08]), and 80+ (6.48 seconds [95% CI 4.48, 8.48]). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that overall, males performed better than females in the 50-meter dash. Performance did not significantly decline in the early stages of aging but showed a more pronounced decrease after age 75. Additionally, the performance gap between sex increased with age.