Sports Competitions for Adults Over 40

A healthy lifestyle is a popular way to deal with aging, but the serious fun and games don’t have to end once middle age sets in. This guidebook is aimed at men and women over 40 (or 50, or 60, or 70) who seek the challenge of athletic competition. The book focuses on those sports requiring significant physical exertion and includes team sports such as soccer, softball and basketball and individual sports such as skiing, tennis and swimming. Chapters on each sport identify the national sponsoring organization and regional affiliates, describe the types of competition available, and give a breakdown of the competitors by age and gender. A “How to Get Started” section describes basic skills needed for each sport, equipment required to compete, opportunities for coaching, and suggested books and videos for beginners. The book also features a list of the 2007 or 2008 national champions in each sport.

Thomas A. Jones is a retired English teacher, coach, and school administrator. Since turning 40, Jones has competed in a variety of sports, including tennis, triathlon, basketball, swimming, and orienteering. He has won national and international competitions in kayak racing.

Thomas A. Jones

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 228
Bibliographic Info: appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3465-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5366-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Preface      1
Introduction      5

Alpine Skiing      9
Badminton      13
Baseball      17
Basketball      22
Canoeing      26
Cross-Country Skiing      32
Cycling      36
Diving      43
Fencing      46
Handball      50
Ice Hockey      55
Orienteering      60
Platform Tennis      65
Racquetball      69
Road Racing      76
Rowing      82
Soccer      87
Softball      90
Speedskating      101
Squash      104
Swimming      109
Table Tennis      116
Tennis      120
Track and Field      126
Triathlon      132
Volleyball      138
Weightlifting and
Powerlifting      144
Multi-Sport Events      151

Appendix A: National Champions      159
Appendix B: Websites of Sponsoring Organizations      210
Appendix C: Selected Comparisons      212
Appendix D: Outstanding Masters Performances      213
Appendix E: Studies on Exercise and Longevity      214
Index      217