Some of the US' largest sports medicine organisations have teamed up to develop guidelines for "master athletes" - individuals who are over 50 years of age but still enjoy keeping active in their gym clothing.

Titled Selected Issues for the Master Athlete and the Team Physician, the guidelines are designed to improve the knowledge of medical professionals who treat this group of exercisers.

Dr Stanley Herring, fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, said that "master athletes" take part in more than just casual exercise.

"They want to stay competitive and perform at an optimal level - but their changing physiological makeup may require a bit more customised treatment from their physician," he added.

The guidelines recommend that physicians treating master athletes should understand the symptoms of injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, lumbar spinal stenosis, rotator cuff tears, elbow injuries and osteoarthritis in the hip, knee and shoulder, which are common in this age group.

Last month, research conducted by the University of Missouri found that seniors can decrease their risk of falls and injuries by participating in dance-based therapy, perhaps in their gym clothing.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-19773875-ADNFCR

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