The Ageing Athletes: How Sports Science is Extending Professional Soccer Careers

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, both in their late 30s, are set to play in yet another European Championship. Their longevity in soccer, once a sport known for its short careers, has raised questions: how are they still able to compete at the highest level? The answer lies in advancements in sports science.

Aged 39 and about to play in a record-extending sixth European Championship, Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity at soccer's highest levels almost defies belief. Luka Modrić is 38, still performing for Real Madrid and will be expected to provide the X Factor for Croatia at the Euros in Germany, which start June 14.

The best players are extending their careers for longer, despite the increased pace and intensity of the modern game. Higher levels of fitness and stamina are being demanded of athletes, but that is being matched by ever-improving expertise in how to maximize performance.

"Sports science has had an impact on how we prepare the modern-day player in terms of diet, nutrition, lifestyle, training programs," Tony Strudwick, a sports scientist with more than three decades of experience in soccer, told The Associated Press. "We’ve moved out of the 80s and 90s with the increased level of professionalism."

Strudwick has held prominent roles at Manchester United, Arsenal and England and is currently director of medical at West Bromwich Albion. He worked with Ronaldo at United when the Portugal forward first established himself as one of the best players in the world.

"He just set himself up for success," Strudwick said. "I said four or five years ago, knowing how professional Ronaldo was, he could play up to the age of 40. That was no problem."

With his 40th birthday in sight, Ronaldo shows no sign of being ready to quit. And with the advancement of sports science, the longevity that the likes of Ronaldo and Modrić are achieving could become the norm.

It's not so much that athletes have changed physically over the years — rather it has been a shift in mentality.

"We have seen a kind of evolution in professionalism as opposed to an evolution in genetics," Strudwick said. "It wasn’t that players were unprofessional (in the past), they just didn’t know what they didn’t know."

"There’s a lot more scrutiny on players in terms of accountability."

The improvements in sports science are not just limited to diet and training. There have also been advances in recovery methods, such as cryotherapy and massage, which can help players recover from injuries more quickly.

As a result of these advancements, players are able to stay fit and healthy for longer, which is allowing them to extend their careers. This is good news for fans, who will be able to enjoy watching their favorite players for even longer.

However, it is important to note that not all players are able to achieve the same level of longevity as Ronaldo and Modrić. This is because genetics also play a role in how long a player can play at the highest level.

Nevertheless, the advancements in sports science are making it possible for more players to extend their careers. This is a positive development for the sport of soccer, as it will allow fans to enjoy watching their favorite players for even longer.