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Aku Y, Yang CB. The relative age effect among Chinese junior men's tennis players and its impact on sports performance. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292443. [PMID: 37816070 PMCID: PMC10564138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The relative age effect (RAE) has been the subject of many studies, but no relevant literature has discussed the phenomenon of RAE in Chinese tennis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that RAE significantly contributes to brain drain and other occurrences that create inequity. This paper analyzes the birth dates and year-end rankings of all male players (N = 2697) who participated in China's junior tennis tournaments (U12, U14, U16) between 2014 and 2019 and who were selected for China's National Junior Team in 2019 and 2020; the paper classifies the birth dates into quarters and semesters. One of the research objectives of this study is to analyze whether RAE exists in Chinese junior men's tennis and whether RAE exerts an effect on athletes' performance. Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were tested using chi-square statistics, and subsequent calculations were tested using odds ratios. The study found that RAE was present in all Chinese junior male tennis sports groups (p<0.001). The percentages of athletes born in the first half of the year were 56.4% (U12), 60.4% (U14), and 60.4% (U16), and the percentages of those born in the first quarter were 34.1% (U12), 36.4% (U14), and 37.1% (U16). Athletes with birth dates closer to the beginning of the year had a higher probability of achieving excellent athletic performance as a result of RAE, whereas those who were born near the end of the year had a more difficult time achieving strong athletic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Aku
- Department of Athletic Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng-bo Yang
- Department of Athletic Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
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Barboza-Neto R, Nobari H, Aidar FJ, Almeida-Neto PF, Silva AF, Medeiros RMV, Clemente FM, de Queiros VS, de Matos DG, da Silva LF, Badicu G, Dantas PMS, de Araújo Tinôco Cabral BG. Relative age effects on speed trials in Brazilian athletics. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2023; 15:19. [PMID: 36774525 PMCID: PMC9921047 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-023-00629-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relative age effect (RAE) is a concept related to the possible advantage that older athletes would have over younger ones within the same category. Although many studies have approached this subject in individual sports, there are few clippings by events within the sport. More detailed analyses are necessary for a better understanding of how RAE behaves in sports, especially in athletics, the subject of this study. The objective of this study was to analyze the RAE on speed in track and field events as a whole, separating the flat races from the hurdles races. METHODS The Brazilian Ranking of Brazilian Athletics Confederation was used for data analysis, and the sample was composed of the 50 best-placed marks in the ranking of speed events in athletics in the categories Under(U)-16 and U-18 (female and male). Statistical analysis was calculated by chi-square, and the effect size was checked by Cramer's V. Likelihood-ratio test (L-Ratio) assessed the probability of the RAE occurring in the total sample and by age groups. RESULTS In the total sample the results pointed to the emergence of RAE in males in both categories (U-16: p < 0.001; V: 0.13; L-Ratio: 3.64, U-18: p < 0.001; V: 0.13; L-Ratio: 3.80), whereas in females no such effect was found in any category (U-16: p = 0.6; V: 0.09; L-Ratio: 0.09, U-18: p = 0.6; V: 0.07; L-Ratio: 0.12). When the results were separated by type of event, there was only a RAE in the shallow event in the U-18 female category (p = 0.3; V: 0.11; L-Ratio: 8.72). CONCLUSION The results allow us to conclude that there is a RAE in the speed trials of Brazilian athletics in the U16 and U18 categories for men, while this effect appears only in the shallow trials of the U18 category for women, indicating that the RAE has incidence when there is more participation and competition in the sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Barboza-Neto
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
| | - Hadi Nobari
- Department of Motor Performance, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068, Brasov, Romania. .,Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 56199-11367, Iran. .,Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Felipe J. Aidar
- grid.411252.10000 0001 2285 6801Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão, 49100-000 Brazil
| | - Paulo Francisco Almeida-Neto
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
| | - Ana Filipa Silva
- grid.27883.360000 0000 8824 6371Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’ Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal ,grid.513123.70000 0004 6416 6210Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Polytechnic Institute of Maia, 5001-801 Maia, Vila Real, Portugal
| | | | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- grid.27883.360000 0000 8824 6371Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’ Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal ,grid.421174.50000 0004 0393 4941Instituto de Telecomunicações, Delegação da Covilhã, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Victor Sabino de Queiros
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
| | - Dihogo Gama de Matos
- grid.21613.370000 0004 1936 9609Cardiorespiratory and Physiology of Exercise Research Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
| | - Luiz Felipe da Silva
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
| | - Georgian Badicu
- grid.5120.60000 0001 2159 8361Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
| | - Paulo Moreira Silva Dantas
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
| | - Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinôco Cabral
- grid.411233.60000 0000 9687 399XPhysical Activity and Health, Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN Brazil
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de Oliveira Castro H, De Conti Teixeira Costa G, Gomes SA, Júnior RV, Tertuliano IW, de Oliveira V, da Silva Aguiar S, Laporta L, Figueiredo LS. The Relative Age Effect in Male and Female Brazilian Elite Volleyball Athletes of Varied Competitive Levels. Percept Mot Skills 2023; 130:485-496. [PMID: 36227720 DOI: 10.1177/00315125221134316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Volleyball is a popular sport in Brazil, and the relative age effect (RAE) is known to occur within it; but less is known of how RAE relates to elite Brazilian volleyball players' age, sex, and competitive levels. We aimed to investigate RAE prevalence with data from two seasons of play among players in the Superliga A (2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons), and Superliga B (2021 and 2022 seasons) made available from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV), the club's official website, or direct consultation with the CBV. After removing duplicate data, we grouped these 1,063 athletes by their dates of birth, sex, and competition level (Superliga A or B). We divided players' birth dates into quarters (Q1: January-March, Q2: April-June, Q3: July-September and Q4: October-December) and into semesters, and we performed chi-square (χ2) tests to investigate RAE prevalence according to the players' sex and competitive level. RAE was prevalent overall (χ2 = 33.198; p < .001), among males (χ2 = 24.48; p < .001) and females (χ2 = 11.23; p < .011). Regarding competition level, RAE was evident among males in both Superliga A (χ2 = 14.581; p = 0.002), and B (χ2 = 13.985; p = 0.003), and among females in Superliga B (χ2 = 9.204; p = 0.027), but not Superliga A (χ2 = 4.012; p = 0.26). Thus, the RAE phenomenon operated differently for male and female Brazilian volleyball players according to their competitive level. We discuss the implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sérgio Adriano Gomes
- Catholic University of Brasília, Faculty of Physical Education, Taguatinga, Brazil.,University Centre UniCEUB, Faculty of Physical Education, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vivian de Oliveira
- São Paulo State University, School of Sciences, Rio Claro, Brazil.,University Centre IESB, Faculty of Physical Education, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Lorenzo Laporta
- Federal University of Santa Maria, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Lucas Savassi Figueiredo
- Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Advanced Centre of Governador Valadares, Governador Valadares, Brazil
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Zháněl J, Válek T, Bozděch M, Agricola A. The relative age effect in top 100 elite female tennis players in 2007-2016. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276668. [PMID: 36413556 PMCID: PMC9681101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Relative Age Effect (RAE) has been the subject of many studies, but few have focused on professional athletes in individual sports. The aim of this study was to verify the existence of the RAE among elite senior female tennis players (top 100 players) in the WTA Rankings (n = 1000) in the years 2007-2016. The analysis was performed among top 100, resp. top 10 female tennis players, among players in 4 age subgroups and among left-handed (LH) and right-handed (RH) players. The existence of the RAE was assessed with the use of chi-square test (goodness of fit). More than half of top 100 players were born in first semester: both in individual years (53.0-63.0%) and in the whole observed period (58.4%). Significant RAE (ES medium) was observed in top 100 female players only in 2012 and 2016; significant RAE (ES small) was detected in the period of 2007-2016. Among the top 10 players, significant RAE (ES medium) was demonstrated during the whole period. No significant RAE (ES medium) was detected in the 17-18y subgroups, significant in 19-24y and 25-30y (ES small) as well as in 31-36y (ES medium). Although significant RAE was observed in the subgroups of LH and RH female players, ES was large only in the LH. The results contribute to the expansion of the knowledge about the reduction of the RAE existence in adulthood among coaches, athletes and tennis officials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Zháněl
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Válek
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Bozděch
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adrián Agricola
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Prevalence of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Brazilian Volleyball: An Analysis Based on Gender, the Playing Position, and Performance Indicators. J Hum Kinet 2022; 84:148-157. [DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2022-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Athletes born closer to an arbitrary cut-off date are more likely to reach an elite level in sport, which is supported by a phenomenon called the relative age effect (RAE). It is important to determine whether this phenomenon is present in a sport to minimize this selection bias. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RAE in elite volleyball athletes, considering the influence of gender, the playing position (Setter, Middle, Libero, Opposite, and Outside Hitter) and the performance level (attack points, aces, and block points). The sample comprised 203 male and 193 female athletes competing in the Superliga A in the 2020/2021 season, which was equivalent to all of the teams of the championship. The data collection was performed during May and June, 2021. Athletes were organized according to gender, the playing position, and performance in the Superliga. For performance variables, athletes were separated based on the median value (90.0), and classified as high- or low-performance. Chi-squared tests were performed to verify differences between birth date distributions in relation to the aforementioned variables. Results indicated overrepresentation of relatively older male athletes (Q1 = 35.96%; Q2 = 27.59%; Q3 = 19.21%; Q4 = 17.24%), especially in Middles, Opposites, and Outside Hitters, regardless of their performance level. Considering females, no differences were found. Our findings suggest that RAE operates differently for men and women in elite Brazilian volleyball. The characteristics of the games played by male and female elite athletes may lead to different talent selection processes, affecting the likelihood of RAE prevalence.
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Gundersen H, Harris A, Grendstad H, Kristoffersen M, Guttormsen A, Dalen T, Rygh CB. Performance in youth track and field is associated with birth quartile. A register-based study among athletes in Norway from 10 years to senior level. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273472. [PMID: 36067169 PMCID: PMC9447911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Earlier studies have demonstrated that the oldest in a competition class are more likely to succeed than the youngest, a phenomenon called relative age effect (RAE). Track and field give us an opportunity to investigate the advantage of being born early in the year based upon actual performance, since objective criteria are the performance indicators. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of RAE in Norwegian track and field athletes in events where physical capacity is important for success. Methods All individual season best results from the register of The Norwegian Athletics Federation (n = 28 999) obtained in all competition classes from the age of 10 years to senior in both sexes on 60m and 600m from 2011 to 2020 were downloaded. One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc analyses were used to analyze performance differences according to birth quartiles between athletes. Further, odds ratios (OR) were used to calculate the odds of being among the top-100 for athletes for those born in the first quartile of the year compared to the last. Results The RAE was present in several of the competition classes in sprint compared to middle-distance running, and in more male than female competition classes. Overall, the OR of being among the top-100 in one of the competition classes on 60m sprint when born in first quartile compared to last quartile was 2.88 [2.30–3.62] for males and 1.54 [1.26–1.89] for females. Conclusion Being born early in the year in events with high demand for specific physical capacities is an advantage in both sexes in most of the youngest competition classes. In males, the advantage of being born early in the year lasted longer in sprint than in middle-distance running, indicating that puberty affects performance in sprint and middle-distance running differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Gundersen
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Anette Harris
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Halvard Grendstad
- Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Morten Kristoffersen
- Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
| | - Atle Guttormsen
- NMBU School of Economics and Business, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Terje Dalen
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Teacher Education and Arts, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | - Cecilie Brekke Rygh
- Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
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de Oliveira Castro H, Francisco PS, de Oliveira V, Vasques DM, Monteiro GN, Prado AKG, Aburachid LMC, Figueiredo LS. Relative Age Effect in Brazilian water polo: analysis of male and female athletes from U16 to senior categories. MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-657420220002022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vivian de Oliveira
- Centro Universitário IESB, Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista, Brazil
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Castro HDO, Aguiar SDS, Clemente FM, Lima RF, Costa GDCT, Figueiredo LS, Oliveira VD, Gomes SA. Relative Age Effect on Brazilian male elite futsal athletes according to playing position and performance by goals scored on Brazil National Futsal Leagues. MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-657420210011521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Portugal; Instituto de Telecomunicações, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Vivian de Oliveira
- Centro Universitário IESB, Brazil; Centro Universitário UNIPLAN, Brazil; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Brazil
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Pérez-González B, León-Quismondo J, Bonal J, Burillo P, Fernández-Luna Á. The New Generation of Professional Soccer Talent Is Born under the Bias of the RAE: Relative Age Effect in International Male Youth Soccer Championships. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:children8121117. [PMID: 34943315 PMCID: PMC8700599 DOI: 10.3390/children8121117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In 2019, numerous championships of youth categories soccer national teams were held. In the present study, we analyzed the existence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in four major male championships that, due to their importance and participating teams, most likely brought together the great bulk of the players who will dominate professional soccer in the next decade. Participants were professional and amateur youth male soccer players who participated in the last international championships: UEFA European Under-21 Championship (2017–2019); UEFA European Under-19 Championship (2019); South American Youth Football Championship (also known as Conmebol U-20) (2019); and FIFA U-20 World Cup (2019), with 823 players (20.25 ± 0.84 years). In the four championships analyzed, the existence of RAE was found for all players (p < 0.001). Analyzing the players when considering their position on the pitch and their championship, RAE was found, statistically significant, in 10 of the 16 classifications. New generations of elite soccer players arrive with a clear bias in the selection of talent; an unfair bias, based on unequal opportunities in early categories, which should be reviewed by sports authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benito Pérez-González
- Faculty of Business and Communication, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, 26006 Logroño, Spain;
| | - Jairo León-Quismondo
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Calle Tajo S/N, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (P.B.); (Á.F.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-912-113-505
| | - José Bonal
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Calle Tajo S/N, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (P.B.); (Á.F.-L.)
| | - Pablo Burillo
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Calle Tajo S/N, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (P.B.); (Á.F.-L.)
| | - Álvaro Fernández-Luna
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Calle Tajo S/N, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (J.B.); (P.B.); (Á.F.-L.)
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Are the Player Selection Process and Performance Influenced by Relative Age Effect in Elite Women's Handball? J Hum Kinet 2021; 80:223-237. [PMID: 34868431 PMCID: PMC8607779 DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative age effect (RAE) is a phenomenon present in team sports, but it does not influence each gender to the same extent. This study aimed to examine the RAE and its relation to performance in international women's handball competitions (2017/18 World Championships). The sample was composed of 1,096 female players distributed into three categories: youth or under 18 (n = 369); junior or under 20 (n = 328) and senior (n = 399). The teams were divided into four groups based on their final position (medalist, quarter-finalist, eight-finalist and bottom-eight teams). The birthdate distribution (trimesters and semesters) was analysed according to the competition category and the playing position. Differences between the expected and observed birthdate distribution were checked using the chi-square statistical test followed by the calculation of the odds ratio. The results revealed, by trimester, the presence of the RAE in the youth (x2(7) = 87.22; p < 0.001) and junior (x2 (7) = 33.12; p < 0.001) categories, with no impact on senior (p > 0.05). The effect size was relatively strong in the youth category (Vc = 0.48). By semester, the prevalence of the RAE was also found in the senior category (p < 0.05). According to the playing position, the RAE was especially detected in 'goalkeeper' (p < 0.01) and 'centre-back' (p < 0.05) positions, both in U-18 and U-20 categories. Surprisingly, this effect also appeared in the 'back' players in the senior category (p < 0.05). A prevalence of the RAE was identified in teams with a higher final position, but interestingly had a greater impact in the quarter-finalist teams (p < 0.001) than in the medalist teams (p < 0.01). The findings demonstrated that the RAE tends to decrease as the chronological age of players increases, demonstrating a strong presence according to collective performance in international women's handball.
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Talent Selection Based on Sport-Specific Tasks Is Affected by the Relative Age Effects among Adolescent Handball Players. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111418. [PMID: 34769935 PMCID: PMC8583324 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Talent selection is often affected by the relative age effects (RAEs), resulting in the overrepresentation of relatively older (vs. relatively younger) players among those selected. The use of sport-specific tasks is suggested to reduce RAEs during talent selection. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that talent selection including only sport-specific tasks is not affected by the RAEs and to analyse the body size and biological maturity of the top selection level according to relative age. Methods: Participants were U14 female (n = 5428) and U15 (n = 4408) male handball players participating in four programs consisting of four selection levels (local, county, regional, and national) grouped in bi-annual age. Handball-specific generic skills, position-specific technical drills and in-game performance were the selection criteria evaluated by experts and coaches. Body dimensions were measured and bone age, as an indicator of maturity, was estimated. The relative age quartile distributions within the bi-annual cohorts were examined using Chi-square and Odds Ratios. Results: In terms of all the registered players no RAEs were evident. However, the RAEs of moderate effect size were evident at the county level; χ2 = 53.2 (girls) and 66.4 (boys), OR = 2.5 and 3.3, respectively. The RAEs of a large effect size were found at the regional level; χ2 = 139.5 (girls) and 144.9 (boys), OR = 8.2 and 5.2, respectively. At national level, RAEs were still present, but with no further increase in the effect size. At the highest selection level, there were no differences in the anthropometric measures between the relatively older and younger players. Conclusion: The findings provide support to the hypothesis that the selection process exacerbates RAEs even when using only sport-specific selection criteria. The performance metrics in technical skills, but also coaching assessments are likely involved. In addition, an advanced maturity and/or an above-average body size increases the selection odds for relatively younger players.
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Kelly AL, Jackson DT, Barrell D, Burke K, Till K. The relative age effect in male and female English age-grade rugby union: Exploring the gender-specific mechanisms that underpin participation. SCI MED FOOTBALL 2021; 6:277-284. [DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2021.1955145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L. Kelly
- Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
| | - Daniel T. Jackson
- Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
| | - Donald Barrell
- Rugby Football Union, Rugby House, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, UK
| | - Kate Burke
- Rugby Football Union, Rugby House, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, UK
| | - Kevin Till
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
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Gil SM, Bidaurrazaga-Letona I, Larruskain J, Esain I, Irazusta J. The relative age effect in young athletes: A countywide analysis of 9-14-year-old participants in all competitive sports. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254687. [PMID: 34270609 PMCID: PMC8284647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative age effect (RAE) has primarily been investigated in male athletes involved in popular sports and high-level competitions. However, occurrence of RAE in other types of sports at the grassroots level, particularly in female athletes, is less well-studied. Thus, we examined the RAE in a large cohort of young athletes who participated in all competitive sports in Bizkaia, Spain, according to gender and specificity of the sport. The birth dates of 38,381 participants (65.1% males and 34.9% females) aged 9–14 years old in 37 competitive sports were analyzed. Birth dates were divided into four birth-quarters and compared to those of all children born in the same period using a χ2 goodness-of-fit test and standardized residuals. The effect size Cramer’s V was measured, and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the odds of athletes born in January playing in the highest leagues. In the total sample, in boys RAE was evident in football, but only in higher-competition leagues (p<0.001, large effect size). In girls, RAE was evident in the most popular team sports: basketball (p<0.001, large effect size in basketball 1st league), handball and football (p<0.05, both small effect sizes). Players born in January were 3.23- and 2.89-times more likely to play in the 1st leagues than those born in December, for boys (football) and girls (basketball) respectively. In the overall analysis and in the remaining sports, presence of RAE was negligible. Therefore, the date of birth does not seem to be a constraint to participating in most sports in Bizkaia. The potential mechanisms for RAE are multifactorial and complex, yet a combination of factors, such as the popularity of a sport and the depth of competition, physicality and social influences may be involved. We discuss these mechanisms and potential measures to mitigate RAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana M. Gil
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | | | - Izaro Esain
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jon Irazusta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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de la Rubia A, Lorenzo A, Bjørndal CT, Kelly AL, García-Aliaga A, Lorenzo-Calvo J. The Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance of Spanish International Handball Players: A Longitudinal Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:673434. [PMID: 34267706 PMCID: PMC8276001 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.673434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Competitive success is the ultimate objective of elite professional sport organisations. Relative age effects (RAE) impact athlete selection processes in the short and long-term performance. The aims of this study were: (i) examine the presence of RAE by gender, competitive level, and playing position, as well as evaluate the impact of RAE on individual (goals, percentage of effectiveness in shots, saves; percentage of effectiveness in saves, assists, turnovers, steals, blocked shots, penalties, minutes played, and minutes played per match) and collective competition performance (final team position); and (ii) analyse the impact of RAE on the evolutionary trends of individual performance in international competitions throughout 16 seasons in Spanish handball (2005–2020). Methods: The sample included 631 Spanish handball players (male: n = 359; female: n = 272). A Chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to assess whether a skewed birthdate distribution occurred. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of independent measures was used to examine the individual and collective statistical parameters by birth quartiles. A linear regression in a Hopkins sheet were performed to compare individual performance trends. Results: The results revealed RAE in the male formative categories (p < 0.001), as well as the male and female senior categories (p < 0.05). By position, RAE especially affected the “centre-back” in the male formative (p < 0.01) and senior categories (p < 0.05). No significant relationship between RAE and individual performance was found in male formative categories, while an impact of RAE on the “minutes played” was detected in the female senior category (p < 0.05). With regard to collective performance, a higher number of relatively older handball players was observed in the best ranked teams in the male formative categories and in the quarter-final teams in the female formative categories (p < 0.05). Among the male players, relatively older players spent more minutes on the court than relatively younger players, although this advantage dissipated over time and did not lead to better performance. Among the female players, relatively younger players were found to perform better as the level of competitive handball increased. Discussion: These findings are important for talent identification and development policies in sport federations and other elite sport institutions by demonstrating the many unintended consequences of selections to international competitions at the youth level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso de la Rubia
- Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-Instituto Nacional de Educación Física, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Lorenzo
- Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-Instituto Nacional de Educación Física, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Adam Leigh Kelly
- Department of Sport and Exercise, Research Centre for Life and Sport Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Abraham García-Aliaga
- Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-Instituto Nacional de Educación Física, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo
- Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-Instituto Nacional de Educación Física, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Meletakos P, Noutsos K, Bartha AI, Bayios I. The height importance of male athletes for the classification in the world handball championships. MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-657420210002621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Meletakos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Noutsos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Greece
| | - Alina Ioana Bartha
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Greece
| | - Ioannis Bayios
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Greece
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Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Basketball: A Qualitative Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17228596. [PMID: 33228103 PMCID: PMC7699389 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Performance in basketball is multifactorial. One of the modifying factors is the “Relative Age Effect—RAE”. However, its impact depends on the sample characteristics and sport context. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the RAE on basketball competition performance by analysing peer-reviewed articles published until July 2020. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses systematic search guidelines, nine studies were identified in four databases: Sport Discus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Moreover, a study quality analysis using “Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology” guidelines was carried out. The results confirmed an impact of the RAE on competition performance in basketball (56% measurements) and a higher influence of the RAE on short-term collective performance (54% measurements). Statistical parameters were affected, especially in men and U14-U18 categories. No impact of the RAE reversal and no influence of the RAE on long-term collective performance were found. There was a higher impact of the RAE in men (71%), the U14-U18 categories (44%), and at the national level (40%) was identified. The RAE has a variable influence on basketball performance according to developmental constraints. Nevertheless, the findings should be considered based on the sport context due to the heterogeneity and variability of the identified results.
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de la Rubia A, Lorenzo-Calvo J, Lorenzo A. Does the Relative Age Effect Influence Short-Term Performance and Sport Career in Team Sports? A Qualitative Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1947. [PMID: 33071837 PMCID: PMC7538615 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The impact on athletes based on grouping methods according to the date of birth within the constituent year, known as the relative effect of age (RAE), is a factor that can influence the achievement of sports success. Many studies have examined the magnitude of this phenomenon in sport; however, the relationship between the RAE and performance in team sports competition has not been accurately evaluated so far. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the influence of the RAE on competition performance in team sports through analysis of published peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2019. Methods: According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis systematic search guidelines, 19 studies were identified of the 2,093 that were found in the systematic searching process carried out in four databases: Sport Discus, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. The sample of the study was composed by 77,329 players, of which 92.08% were male and 7.92% were female, whereas the recorded performance measurements were 87,556. The relation between relative age effects and competition performance was registered according to constraints-based theoretical model: individual constraints (sample characteristics) and task constraints (sport context). Moreover, study quality analysis, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, was carried out. Results: The short-term individual (10.20%) and collective (18.09%) performance was influenced by the RAE, whereas the long-term individual performance (49.71%) was affected by the RAE reverse. However, in 16.99% of the measurements, no relationship was found between the RAE and competition performance. In the analysis by subcategory, the influence of the RAE was higher in men, in adulthood (senior category), in invasion games, and in national contexts. Discussion: The findings clearly demonstrated that the RAE has a great influence on the performance in team sport. Possible implications for policy and practice should be discussed in order to prevent unequal practice based on biased models that prioritize the athlete's current performance and therefore obviate their maturational development. The heterogeneity and variability of the identified results require a relativization of the findings of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso de la Rubia
- Departamento de Deportes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-INEF de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo
- Departamento de Deportes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-INEF de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Lorenzo
- Departamento de Deportes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-INEF de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Are European Soccer Players Worth More If They Are Born Early in the Year? Relative Age Effect on Player Market Value. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17093301. [PMID: 32397413 PMCID: PMC7246739 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The relative age effect (RAE) consists of the lower presence of members of an age group born in the months furthest from the age cut-off date established. In youth soccer, it is known that because of this effect the birth dates of more players in a team are closer to the cutoff of 1 January. These older players, due to their physical and psychological advantages, are more likely to be identified as talent. This study aimed to examine whether RAE can be identified in professional players of the top five European soccer leagues (Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and France) and to assess its influence on the perceived market value of the players. Market value data for 2577 players were obtained from the Transfermarkt database. A significant RAE was produced in all leagues (p < 0.05). However, this bias did not affect the market value of the professional elite soccer players examined here. Our observations indicate that, while the identification and promotion of talent at young ages are often biased by RAE, once players have reached the professional stage, the market value assigned to them is based more on factors other than their date of birth.
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Figueiredo LS, Gantois P, Lima-Junior DD, Fortes LDS, Fonseca FDS. The relationship between relative age effects and sex, age categories and playing positions in Brazilian National Handball Teams. MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-6574202000040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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