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Ability, Age, and Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Clifford B. Sowell

    (Berea College)

  • Wm. Stewart Mounts Jr.

    (Mercer University)

Abstract

A person’s age is used in many ways in economic decisions due to the belief that it is a low cost proxy for ability. Even with this importance assigned to age, however, little economic research has investigated the underlying relationship between age and output. Our purpose is to consider this relationship using data from the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. Our findings indicate that men age faster than the rates estimated by others. Also, unlike other studies, these data allow inferences to be drawn about the linkage between age and ability for women. We find that women age only slightly faster than men, showing some relative increase in aging in later years. At younger ages, however, women appear more responsive to training and maturation (forms of human capital investment) than young men.

Suggested Citation

  • Clifford B. Sowell & Wm. Stewart Mounts Jr., 2005. "Ability, Age, and Performance," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 6(1), pages 78-97, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:6:y:2005:i:1:p:78-97
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002503260801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Filippin, A. & van Ours, J.C., 2012. "Run For Fun : Intrinsic Motivation and Physical Performance," Other publications TiSEM 752185ae-01f1-4005-9180-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Ryan M. Rodenberg, 2013. "The goals and impacts of age restrictions in sports," Chapters, in: Eva Marikova Leeds & Michael A. Leeds (ed.), Handbook on the Economics of Women in Sports, chapter 8, pages 156-172, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Ryan M. Rodenberg & Jun Woo Kim, 2011. "Precocity and labor market outcomes: Evidence from professional basketball," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 31(3), pages 2185-2190.
    4. Ryan Rodenberg & Daniel Stone, 2011. "The Short and Long-Run Labor Market Effects of Age Eligibility Rules: Evidence from Women’s Professional Tennis," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 181-198, June.

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