i asked the registry of the annual Funboard Cup what was the mean age of foreign and local windsurfers and the answer was 34 and kiters 23 ..but when it came to 'no-wind games' like tug of war and SUP racing windsurfers won..on past years windsurfers ruled the arm wrestling comp..so i guess who gets a better workout
it's a 2 question in one thread thingy
as you get older many do become stronger.
having said that, the majority do become fatter!
windsurfing [slalom sailing] requires strength more than flexibility.
windsurfing requires minimum flexibility, it's more the combo of weight + strength that is important.
look who is the best slalom sailor in the world for proof of this.
slowboat [chris] is another example of where an old-timer can compete at the highest level.
raquet sports such as tennis, squash flexibility is basically half the game.
hardly a top player in these two sports who is much past 30.
Especially old ones..
I've been told that a man reaches his peak physical strength at 45 & that's why the grid-ion players are older the ones that just run into each other ive never been able to understand it myself
that's a good one!i have exactly 4mos. to go till my peak is still there!
on a serious note, you have to be careful not to confuse muscular strength, power, speed and endurance.
As you get older you can maintain your strength through exercise and working out, but you lose you power (explosiveness - ability of muscles to contract with maximum force in the shortest possible time)
This is why footballers may start to lose their sprinting speed, vertical leap etc as early as their late 20's/early 30's, but may still be able to push just as much weight (or more) in the gym.
Of course it varies according to different people, but speed and power usually drop off, while strength and endurance can be preserved longer through training, hence your Aussie rules ruckman can often carry on for quite a long time barring wear and tear injuries.
I think you might be on the money, from 40-45 the youngsters I worked with couldnt keep up, but now at 48 I feel shattered just gettin out of bed, even with 7hr work days and no weekends. no energy to get out in the shed at night. rather read a book than gardening.
i like a good fight
