Work

Skateboarding’s Olympic journey: do the performance profiles of top athletes remain consistent?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Since its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, skateboarding has highlighted diverse age profiles among elite athletes. This study aims to characterize the relationship between age and performance in Street Skateboarding and examine how it has evolved with the sport's growing professionalization. Methods: The dataset includes 2,822 performances by 498 women and 12,116 by 2,784 men from international street skateboarding competitions (2001-2024). Athlete number and gender ratios were compared between 2017 and 2024 vs 2001-2016 periods in order to assess the evolution of the competitive context, with analysis of new and returning athletes. Performance was quantified using a dynamic rank-order logit model (ROL). Moore's exponential model and IMAP tracked the age-performance relationship, with adjusted R-squared for model fit. Peak performance ages, estimated performances, and AUC were analyzed for trends. Results: : 0.84-0.94). According to Moore and IMAP models, peak performance ages are estimated at respectively 18.12 and 16.25 for women and 22.51 et 21.34 for men. For women, age of peak performance significantly evolved toward younger ages over time, with a sharper drop from 2021 to 2024. For men, both AUC and age at peak performance increased significantly, indicating a widening of the optimum performance age range. Discussion: The inclusion of skateboarding into the Olympic programs has expanded career opportunities, lowering peak performance age for women and broadening the optimal age range for men. This study is intended to help skateboarding stakeholders estimate athletes' potential for future Olympiads and adapt development strategies. The age at peak performance trajectory for female athletes warrants special attention.

Source: Frontiers in Physiology

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1548442

Authors: Chloé Fouillot, Guillaume Saulière, Juliana Antero, Adrien Sedeaud, Jean-François Toussaint

Institutions: Université Paris Cité, Institut de Recherche bio-Médicale et d'Epidémiologie du Sport, Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôtel-Dieu de Paris

Language: English

Topic: Sports Performance and Training

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801