LeBron James will be the first NBA player to serve 23 seasons. How is it possible that he is still one of the best?

In sports, a popular saying is: “Father Time is undefeated.”

This reflects the belief that age comes to every athlete, regardless of their level of performance.

Physiological, biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of performance such as strength production it peaks in an athlete’s early 20s and then slowly declines with age.

In sports like basketball, elite levels of speed, power, endurance and decision-making are necessary. Even the slightest drop can seriously impact performance.

However, 40-year-old National Basketball Association (NBA) legend LeBron James defies this logic.

How?

How James Makes History

The new NBA season starts on Wednesday.

James will do it I miss the first weeks season after being diagnosed with sciatica.

When he returns to the court, he will become the first player in NBA history to appear on the court for the 23rd time.

Even though he turned 41 in December, he continues to dominate his younger counterparts on both ends of the court with his trademark combination of strength, poise and basketball IQ.

Interestingly, in last year’s NBA playoffs, James remained one of the best in the league. He was tenth in the league in points (25.4), rebounds (9.0) and assists (5.6), fourth in minutes played (40.8) and third in steals (2.0).

At his age, it was a stunning achievement in one of the world’s most important athletics competitions.

However, there are signs that it is slowing down.

Even the best slow down

If we compare James’ first seven seasons in Cleveland to his last seven in Los Angeles, there is a noticeable decline in availability. On average, he played about 20 fewer regular season games per year (about 78 regular season games in Cleveland vs. to 58 per season with the Lakers).

James remains one of the most productive players in the league, but there is no denying that he will continue to slow down.

Age-related decline in neuromuscular strength is primarily related to changes in muscle structure, including: peak concentric force it usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 35.

Tests suggests that approximately 90% of the decline in muscle strength is due to muscle atrophy – the gradual reduction of muscle tissue, which particularly affects type II muscle fibers (fast twitch)..

These changes have a direct impact on James’ signature basketball actions, such as scoring in transitions (sprinting) and how quickly he takes his first steps (agility).

Interestingly, muscle strength (critical for producing force quickly over short periods) declines at a faster rate than maximum force.

This may be the reason why James is making fewer high dunks now compared to the beginning of his career.

Over the course of ten years, James’ average offensive and defensive speed has increased decreased by 4.9% and 5.6%, respectively.. This suggests that age-related changes have affected his on-court behavior, which was also observed in: research on aging NBA athletes.

The key is to be smarter

Despite age-related changes in force and energy production, tests highlights the importance of prioritizing movement efficiency as athletes age.

In other words, athletes need to move smarter when their bodies slow down.

From a biomechanical standpoint, this is evident in James’ increased emphasis on post play (taking the ball near the basket), where he can use his body position, leverage, and technique rather than relying on pure strength to score points.

Similarly, James’ increased reliance on three-point shooting throughout his career (up 47% from 2003 to 2024) reflects an adaptation that reduces biomechanical demands while maintaining offensive impact.

However, neuromuscular and biomechanical changes are only two pieces of the puzzle: aging also affects athletes’ endurance and their ability to recover between matches.

Struggling with workload and recovery

When it comes to endurance, one of the key factors is maximum oxygen uptake (VO2), which decreases with age.

This decrease reduces oxygen delivery to working muscles, reducing the athlete’s ability to recover between repeated high-intensity efforts.

Additionally, it has been reported that the blood’s ability to carry oxygen begins to decline decline at age 30. This means that older players may experience slower recovery between matches if: loads are not managed.

James has maintained high productivity with a reported investment of millions a year to maintain the body.

James recovery methods switch on ice baths, hyperbaric chamberscryotherapy and massage, along with consistent strength training, structured nutrition and afternoon naps.

Lessons to be learned

James’ 23rd season in the NBA will likely be his last. His career will demonstrate how the inevitable effects of aging in competitive sports can be managed and delayed through a scientific approach to workload and recovery.

Just as James adapted his training regimen and playing style to his aging body, ordinary people of the same age can apply these principles to their lives.

Regular strength training to delay the loss of muscle tissue by using conditioning methods such as interval traininguphill sprints or pool sessions to reduce the impact on lower limb and inclusion joints movement work Maintaining range of motion can help you maintain efficiency and independence as you age.

As basketball enthusiasts prepare for James’ proposed farewell tour, the scientific community can appreciate the outer limits of human athletic achievement.

Although none of us have James’ athletic talents, we can all live strong and healthy lives as we age.