The WAVA [World Association of Veteran Athletes] "Age-Graded-Tables" relates gender and age to mathematically determined "ultimate performance limits" for virtually all recognized track and field and road racing events. By choosing a gender, age and event, the ultimate performance limit can be determined. Then the athlete's performance can be compared to that limit by simple division. Generally, for convenience, the result is given as a percentage. [WAVA%]
The first tables appeared in 1989 and were revised in 1994. But hundreds of age-group records have been set since then, necessitating a major revision in 2006. WAVA has been disbanded and the WMA [World Masters Association] has taken over the responsibility.
Many races use WAVA%s to handicap races by age and thus give older athletes a chance to compete on a level playing field. However, the greatest use by individuals is to monitor performance for training purposes and tactical planning for future races. In general, assuming the athlete's weight and condition has not materially changed, he or she can expect their WAVA% to be about the same regardless of age and race distance. [e.g., if the athlete's WAVA% was 58% 10 years ago for a 10km race, then it will be about the same today for a marathon]
Read "Science Based Performance Training, Using the WAVA Tables" for a more detailed description.
This calculator was designed specifically for the Reston Runners running club and thus includes only a limited set of the road-running WAVA tables.
Important, the calculator uses the 2006 tables, which differ slightly from previous versions. Thus, you must not mix WAVA% from this calculator with those obtained from earlier versions.
Here is a chart that shows the average percentage of runners as a function of their WAVA%. Runners as WAVA%
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Designed by Alan Rider