The statistics I mentioned were, as I recall, in fact done for track and field. I hope someone can corroborate - - it's been maybe 2-5 years since it was originally posted. Technique on the block was included in the analysis, as I recall.
Usain Bolt's fastest time ever was at the ripe old age of … 22. Sprinters do generally reach their peak early, and then scratch and claw to stay there for as long as they can. Funny thing is that the ones who bucked that trend, in recent times, were people who were suspected of doping. And that even includes Carl Lewis.
Looking at current records is probably not the best indicator of overall trends due to the prevalent doping. When guys over 30 are posting their best times, it's very likely that there is some hanky panky. Usain could have easily started on the doping treadmill early for all we know.
Also note that Bolt had a very long career. So even if there was a peak at 22, his fall-off was very tiny. How much of that was drugs....who knows.
I guess that is possible. But I will say something else ... in a sport like soccer in which you are getting kicked in your legs all day, it is extremely unlikely that those legs are not deteriorating at a faster rate than in a precision no-contact sport like sprinting. I would guess that peak is a bit earlier than we think for that reason alone.
Truth is, this is all somewhat pointless because I dont think anyone here thinks Lima has a speed problem. It isnt going to be the reason Lima succeeds or fails at a higher level. And we all understand that.
IIRC, Swimming is the only sport with a peak as low as 20yo. The most recent studies for track and field show mean peak 25 to 27. Mean peak age was typically 25-27 y, but somewhat higher for marathon and male throwers (∼28-29 y). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29543080
This is just ridiculous @nick__lima @SJEarthquakes pic.twitter.com/bYC8ffy6GB— Luke Huerta (@Luke_Huerta4) June 2, 2019 got assist whilst playing out of position at left back He can't stop scoring!The captain leads things off for the black and blue! ⚫️🔵#VamosSJ | #DCvSJ pic.twitter.com/jkFwosERqh— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 2, 2019