The Master athlete

: In the last two decades, the previous contentions that considered ageing as an irreversible process that required a reduction in physical activity have been altered in reference to both healthy subjects and cardiac patients. Contemporary research suggests that the benefits of physical exercise, for both middle- and older-aged individuals, are undisputable. However, generalizations that refer to elderly subjects as a group of individuals with similar characteristics also fail to provide efficient suggestions for physical activity as preventive and/or therapeutic methods. By reviewing a number of studies that focused on the Master athlete as the clinical model in both sports medicine and cardiology, we propose a series of recommendations for prevention and assessment of risks of cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies (often silent or asymptomatic), which increase with aging. In order to best identify healthy and consistent exercise programs that suit the needs of elderly athletes, it is important that the type and intensity of physical activity will be decided by taking into consideration physical, psychological, and social factors as identified by both patient and physician.