I think there is a huge possibility of a methodologial hole here. If older players play better with less pure technical brilliance, this could also be because t

I think there is a huge possibility of a methodologial hole here. If older players play better with less pure technical brilliance, this could also be because they have realized that reflexes are less important - and hence spend less time training their reflexes and more on higher-level strategy. Skills are perishable, so this in itself doesn't demonstrate that motor skills deteriorate with age. I'm reminded of the cliché of the 17-year old guitar player who equates high tempo with good music. A similar study could reach the exact same conclusion in this ield.