Insulin
Sensitivity
Quantifying nutrient partitioning efficiency. For athletes 50+, managing insulin is the primary mechanism for maintaining lean mass while minimizing systemic inflammation.
Serological Markers
Operational Protocol
The HOMA-IR Standard
The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is the premier metric for tracking metabolic health. For athletes 50+, a score below 1.5 indicates high metabolic flexibility—meaning your body partitions nutrients toward muscle recovery rather than visceral fat storage.
The Masters Athlete Edge
Insulin sensitivity often declines with age, but high-intensity training creates a "glucose sink" in skeletal muscle. By tracking this lab, you can adjust carbohydrate timing around training windows to maximize anabolism while maintaining low systemic inflammation.
Diagnostic Disclaimer: HOMA-IR requires accurate fasting blood work. A single high reading may be an outlier; consistent longitudinal tracking via The Streak Lab is recommended for accurate metabolic profiling.