Originally posted by osterber
Hard question to answer, even scientifically. To best determine the 'fastest age', you should look at the average age of the winners at the US Olympic Trials. Those should at least be the fastest Americans. Or look at the average age of the winners at the Olympics.
I don't think this would work becuase swimmers tend to "retire" at their peak.
Pro sports are probably a good yardstick to use. Typically players improve at least until their mid-twenties, then stay at this level for several years, before starting to drop off in performance in their 30s.
Originally posted by osterber
Hard question to answer, even scientifically. To best determine the 'fastest age', you should look at the average age of the winners at the US Olympic Trials. Those should at least be the fastest Americans. Or look at the average age of the winners at the Olympics.
I don't think this would work becuase swimmers tend to "retire" at their peak.
Pro sports are probably a good yardstick to use. Typically players improve at least until their mid-twenties, then stay at this level for several years, before starting to drop off in performance in their 30s.
