Senior athletes are ideal examples of healthy physiologic aging because they maintain an active lifestyle throughout their lifespan.

During the 2001 Senior Olympics in Baton Rouge, LA doctors from the University of Pittsburgh Center for Sports Medicine studied more than 2500 of the Senior Olympians.

Ten key findings of their study include:

1. The majority of athletes were caucasian, married and lifelong exercisers.
2. Compared to the general population they report better mental and physical health
3. The top 4 health problems reported were low back pain, hypertension, knee arthritis and neck pain.
4. Even the oldest old (>80) female athletes maintained normal bone density (59%). 40% of the female athletes took HRT
5. Only 25% of the oldest old (>80) male athletes had normal bone density.
6. The majority of athletes experienced at least one injury since age 50; more than 50% experienced up to 5
7. The most common locations for injury were the foot and ankle, knee, shoulder and lower back.
8. Athletes with knee osteoarthritis were more prone to injury around their knees
9. Physical performance declined only moderated each year until age 75 when performance declines were dramatic
10. There are still many unanswered questions about this amazing group of athletes.

Based on the 2001 survey, 5 additional studies are being conducted during the 2005 Senior Games in Pittsburgh, PA

Health survey — This survey will examine the athlete's history, including his or her training, injury, and treatment background. It also will ask general questions about the athlete's health.
 
Sacropenia — During this study athletes will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests to determine what percentage of their muscle mass is lean versus fat. The difference in volume will be compared to similar studies of sedentary people. Interested participants will have the opportunity to have an MRI of their leg. Leg muscle strength will also be tested.
 
Bone density — The bone density test helps determine a person's risk for osteoporosis.
 
Neurocognitive test — During this study, researchers will use a tool, called ImPACT, to identify neurocognitive changes with aging. Professional athletes take this test at the beginning of each season, and again any time they have a collision on the playing field. Players are not permitted to return to play until ImPACT shows that their brains have fully recovered from the collision. Researchers for the Senior Games will use ImPACT to compare the senior athletes to sedentary people of the same age. The results also will be compared to younger athletes to see how the brain ages if we stay active.
 
Rotator cuff study — Research indicates that by age 70, most people have experienced a tear of their rotator cuff, even though not all of them will experience pain. Through the rotator cuff study, which will be conducted via ultrasound, researchers hope to learn more about why some tears become symptomatic, while others do not.
 
Body composition study — Osteoporosis researchers at UPMC will use a DEXA scanner to identify where fat is deposited in the senior athletes' bodies.

The results of the research conducted at the Senior Games will be released around this time next year, and Dr. Wright is confident that the research will provide insight on the aging process. "There are 77 million baby boomers in this country who are going to be senior citizens in the next 10 years," she says. “If we don't find a way to keep them healthy longer, it will seriously impact their treatment, health care costs, and quality of life.”