The masters' Athlete is a special type of athlete.

They experience physiological changes as the body progresses through the natural aging process. The level of fitness and level of experience in running helps to slow this down. The masters' athlete's are more at risk of certain injuries due to the changes in the structures that make up the tendons and muscles.

Age-related declines in running performance are driven by a host of factors, including declining cardiovascular function, reduced muscular capacity, altered biomechanics, and greater susceptibility to running-related injury.

In one of the only studies comparing injury rates between master and younger runners, more master runners (49%) reported a running-related injury in the previous year compared with younger runners (45%). Furthermore, master runners were more likely (30%) to experience multiple injuries during the past year compared with the younger runners (24%).

Importantly in the masters population, high plantar flexor capacity and function seem to be protective against Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendinopathy was the highest reported injury in the masters population. It would be suggested that the masters' athlete with greater eccentric plantar flexor strength and greater propulsive forces during running have a reduced risk of developing Achilles tendinopathy.

The following masterclass was developed to target the specific areas that masters' athlete struggles with. Using the research and experience with this population the following information and classes were structured.