ABSTRACT
At the simplest level, epidemiology is an investigative process in which the distribution and determinants of health-related events are studied (MacMahon & Pugh, 1970). Within the population of Masters Athletes, epidemiological methods provide valuable information about specific health outcomes. Most important, the applications of epidemiological methods help researchers understand potential health risk factors as well as likely protective factors for positive health status (Young, 1998). Epidemiological methods can help researchers determine the temporality of events that lead to measurable health outcomes. Although injury epidemiology holds great promise for increasing our understanding of injuries and other factors affecting performance decline in older athletes, this type of research is underutilized.
