It's a bit different, since there actually is a fall-off with age in sports. A 45 year old basketball player is almost definitely more injured and less capable

It's a bit different, since there actually is a fall-off with age in sports. A 45 year old basketball player is almost definitely more injured and less capable than a 20-year old. In most sports, you get better for the first 5-10 years being a pro and then it's all downhill from there. Though, like tech, your trajectory at that point is usually management, analysis, or teaching.