Training in your 40s and 50s is rewarding and requires more biological intelligence than in your 20s. Recovery slows, hormones shift, and the margin between good training and overtraining narrows. Biomarkers help you train smarter.
What changes after 40
Testosterone declines roughly 1 percent per year from your 30s, accelerating in some men. Oestradiol fluctuates and falls in women through perimenopause. Recovery from hard training takes longer. Inflammation tends to run higher. Iron stores can drop in masters endurance athletes.
The masters athlete panel
Comprehensive hormone profile (testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol where relevant, thyroid). Iron status. Inflammation markers (hs-CRP). Lipid profile (cardiovascular risk matters more in this decade). Vitamin D. Full blood count.
When to test in a training year
Around training block transitions: end of a heavy block, start of a build phase, and ahead of key competitions. This gives you actionable timing rather than reactive testing.
What to do with the data
Pair biomarkers with your training and sleep data. Look for patterns: cortisol rising in heavy blocks, ferritin trending down through a marathon build, oestradiol fluctuations in perimenopause affecting recovery. Chxhealth is a biomarker and genetic data provider. We do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Our service supports your wellbeing journey alongside your healthcare professional.
Chxhealth panels for this
Related biomarker guides
Frequently asked questions
How often should masters athletes test?
Every 3 to 4 months is typical. More frequent iron-only checks for endurance athletes at risk of low ferritin.
Are biomarker ranges different for older athletes?
Reference ranges are the same. Optimal ranges sometimes cited by sports clinicians may differ slightly for active populations.
About this article. Educational content. Chxhealth is a biomarker and genetic data provider. We do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Our service supports your wellbeing journey alongside your healthcare professional. For medical advice about your health or results, please speak to a qualified clinician.
