[mrki444]

In the past, players retired earlier than today. The peak of form remained the same, around the age of 26 or 27, but the players stopped actively playing sports around the age of 32 or 33. Today, we have several players who are still playing at a high professional level, and are a few years older. In football, an example is Luka Modrić, who at the age of 37 plays at a high level in LaLiga and the Champions League. An example in tennis is Novak Djokovic, who wins Grand Slams at the age of 36.

Why don't players retire earlier? Did the way of eating and training or the improvement of sports equipment affect the prolongation of the professional career?

[Tinni]

It all depends on how you take care of your body as a professional athlete. Some players in that time still played very long. Some like Hazard in this era also retired very early.

[mrki444]

Yes he is example of player who don't care about food but he admit that. He say several times, even before Real Madrid, how he like bakery products and McDonalds stuff. Examples of not healthy food.

[Netherrealmer]

Nutrition and Stem cell Therapy had helped some athletes to stay on their prime even in their 40s.

[Tinni]

Stem cell therapy is not allowed in soccer though but I know most soccer players that have played till 40s don't joke with their nutrition.

[mrki444]

Novak Djokovic o talked about no carbohydrates meals. He remove all carbohydrates from food but many people say that affect on his behavior and look. Like he is exausted.
I think he stoped with that but for energy between games he is eating dates. Most athelets eat bannana or apple. Maybe this is his trick.

[ptrikha21]

Continuous monitoring, Good Nutrition, Physical Fitness regime and also support from qualified Physiotherapist and even Counselors help Athletes play longer.
Yet in Cricket, I have seen injuries and sprains impacting players' careers and perhaps in other Sports and Games as well.

[Tinni]

One thing that kills the career of sportsmen of that time, especially professional footballers was playing through the pain. That risk is not taken nowadays in soccer.

[Pistis]

Players that stretch themselves physically in the gym always have a hard time ageing and fading away. See someone like Ronaldo. He spends so much time in the gym.

[mrki444]

That risk is not taken nowadays in soccer.

Oh yes is taken. There is several examples when players come back to early on field and then caught even bigger injury. Rare ones make it trough without new injury. They do that so they can stay in club otherwise they go on transfer list. Who will take a player who can't play?