Two questions frequently asked by young athletes are:- (1) At what age do athletes reach their best? and (2) How much does natural athletic ability help in athletic success?
A fairly clear answer can be given to the first question by analysis of the most successful performers in the country during the last decade or so, Sydney Wooderson, who must rank as the next British exponent of middle distance running, won his first A.A.A. Mile Championship in 1934, when he was only 19 years of age, 11 years afterwards in 1945, at 30 years of age, he ran the fastest mile of his career at Stockholm when he returned a time of 4 mins. 4 1/5th secs. Wooderson's training, incidentally, establish the theory of racing at only one distance but practising at many. Included in this preparation was a lot of cross-country running.
The best performances have been achieved by long distance (6 - 10 miles) runners at ages ranging from 26 to 30 on average. For an exceptional runner like Jack Holden, who first gained international honours in 1929 at 22 years of age, won his first international at 26 and the National Cross-Country Championship in 1939 and 1946 when he was 32 and 39 respectively, there seems to be no real peak. A. E. Tyrer, the Sutton international, showed a distinct peak at 29 and J. Edwards, the local and Liverpool & District Champion, was probably at his best at the same age. These two runners ran almost step for step together in the recent West Lancashire 9 miles senior cross-country championship.
Sprinters appear to come to their best at an earlier age than distance runners, due probably to the fact that providing the athlete has been taught to start and sprint correctly, his athletic improvement is closely related to his physical development so that 24 - 25 years of age sees him doing his best running. The tedious and necessary daily training, the brief moments of actual competition and the lack of variety often combine to prematurely shorten the sprinter's career and many give up before reaching their best.
Generally speaking the more technique to be mastered the later the peak. Experience covers a large field including complete knowledge of the athletic technique to be applied, judgement, good tactics, ability to appreciate strong and weak points of rivals, and to the up the opposition, both before and during competition.
Marathon runners are better at 40 than 30 mainly because they have greater reserves to call on and are generally much tougher than their younger counter-parts.
The question 'How much does natural athletic ability help in athletic success' will be dealt with next week.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 22/02/1947
Ref 1663