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