1. The document discusses how physical abilities like flexibility, strength, and oxygen capacity naturally decline with age due to physiological changes in the body. 2. It notes that most sports organize competitive divisions by age to group athletes of similar physical maturity and ability levels together, since older athletes generally recover more slowly from injuries and have greater risk of health issues. 3. Examples given of age-divided sports competitions include junior Wimbledon, England football under 21s, and English schools athletics.

2. AGE As a young person grows they gradually develop greater levels of fitness. This usually reaches a peak at between 20 and 30 years of age.

3. Our age directly affects our physical maturity and this in turn affects are suitability for certain activities. Look at the two pictures below: What is the difference physically that is affecting their performance? Old v’s Young

4. Flexibility: may be quite high in your teens but will tend to decrease, with age. This is also linked with weight gain with age, which also reduces flexibility.

5. Strength: decreases when we get older, but this is not achieved with younger people until they are fully grown. This is why weight training is not recommended for certain age groups.

6. Oxygen Capacity: reduces with age and the heart becomes less efficient. The arteries gradually lose their elasticity, increasing blood pressure and reducing blood flow.

7. Skill : levels can improve with age and experience, as well as improving as we grow and get strong.

8. The older you get, the longer you take to recover from injuries, there is more chance of suffering from disorders or diseases, and there is a gradual build up of wear and tear on the body.

9. One of the basic ways that sport responds to the factors of age is to introduce sports divisions in competitive sport. School sport is already organised within year groups. Major sports organise competitions, championships and leagues around age. For example under 14’s, under 16’s This allows for pupil to compete again others of similar physical appearance. What are the advantages / disadvantages of this? Name some competitions where age division takes place Junior Wimbledon England football under 21’s English schools athletics