ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

United States records in masters athletics

Masters athletics in the United States are sports competitions for older adults. It's like a big playground where grown-ups go to play sports. However, these grown-ups are over 30 years old, and they still want to compete with other people their age. In this playground, they can play games like running, jumping, and throwing, just like they did when they were kids.

These competitions are divided into different age groups. In other words, people compete with others who are in the same age range as them. For example, people who are 30-34 years old compete with others who are the same age. People who are 35-39 years old compete with others in their age group. And so on.

Every time these grown-ups play a game, they try to finish as fast as possible or throw the farthest or jump the highest. When they finish their game, helpers record their time or distance or height in a book. Everyone's results are written in this book, and it's called a record.

Having a record means being the best at that particular game. Everyone wants to break the record and become the new best player. It's like being the king or queen of that specific game.

These records are essential because they tell us how well people play these games as they get older. They also give everyone a goal to work towards; trying to beat the record and become the best player in the age group.

Overall, Masters athletics is a fun way for older adults to stay active and compete with people their age. By keeping track of their performances in these games, we can see who the best is and how people's sporting abilities change as they age.