[kentbrookug]

If I recall, from studies of combat pilots, males reach peak reaction time and g-force resilience at 26-27 or so, though the best fighter pilots are a few years old due to experience.

Athletics, too:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/.../fulltext.html

In running, the performance peaks at 25.99 ± 2.13 on average and the gathered peaks in all events range from 23.29 years old (10,000 m M) to 31.61 years old (Marathon M) Although part of the reason for this may be the culmination of X years of training necessary to reach their physical peak. I don't know that this is necessarily because 26 is the perfect age for track and field because of a biological reason or if it's because it marks, most likely, a little over a decade of serious training in the sport.