The evidence is clear that many older people can maintain a vigorous lifestyle. Although there is minimal research on the nutritional needs of masters athletes, several conclusions can be drawn. Health professionals working with masters athletes should consider these key points:
Aging has deleterious effects on almost all body systems, but regular physical activity appears to lessen most of these age-related changes.
Metabolic rate is driven by lean tissue and physical activity.
Older adults who remain physically active have the same needs for energy as active younger athletes. Energy intake should be adjusted when training volume decreases.
Fluid may be the most important nutrient for masters athletes—a programmed schedule of drinking can reduce the risk for dehydration without overconsumption of fluids.
Carbohydrate and fat recommendations are the same for older athletes as for younger athletes, and adjustment should be made based on duration and intensity of exercise.
Protein needs appear to be higher in older adults, and distributing protein intake throughout the day with approximately equal intakes at each meal may provide an anabolic environment of muscle and help to overcome the anabolic resistance of aging muscle.
Older adults should pay special attention to vitamin and mineral intakes. A multivitamin and mineral supplement formulated for seniors may be a good addition to supplement dietary intake. Senior-formulated vitamin and mineral supplements contain less iron and more vitamins B-12, B-6, and D compared with a supplement targeted for younger adults.
Masters athletes in competition may be drug tested for banned substances. Several drugs commonly used to treat chronic diseases are on the banned substance list, so masters athletes may need a therapeutic use exemption if they take certain prescription medications.