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CoachingDIAGNOSIS

LOSING POWER AFTER 40 — WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

You're over 40. Your FTP has dropped. Recovery takes longer. The riders who used to sit on your wheel are now riding away from you. You're wondering if this is just age or if something can be done.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Most often, this is because muscle mass declines ~8% per decade after 40 without resistance training. The fix: add strength training — heavy s&c 2x/week is non-negotiable after 40.

WHY THIS HAPPENS

Muscle mass declines ~8% per decade after 40 without resistance training

Recovery capacity decreases — same load, more fatigue

VO2max declines ~5% per decade in trained athletes (less than the ~10% for sedentary)

Most masters cyclists train exactly like they did at 30, which no longer works