The Relative Age Effect in Elite German Youth Soccer: Implications for a Successful Career

Purpose:To investigate whether anthropometric profiles and fitness measures vary according to birth-date distribution in the German national youth soccer teams and to analyze whether there is a difference in the chance of becoming a professional soccer player depending on birth quarter (BQ).Methods:First, 554 players were divided into 6 age groups (U16–U21), each subdivided into 4 BQs. Every player performed at least one 30-m sprint, a countermovement jump, and an incremental test to determine individual anaerobic threshold. For players performing more than 1 test within a team, the best 1 was included. Since some players were part of several different teams, a total of 832 data sets from 495 individual soccer players, all born from 1987 to 1995, divided into 6 age categories (U16–U21) were included.Results:Overall, more players were born in BQ1 than in all other BQs (P < .05). No significant difference between BQs could be observed in any anthropometric or performance characteristics (P > .18). Players born in BQ4 were more likely to become professional than those born in BQ1 (odds ratio 3.04, confidence limits 1.53–6.06).Conclusion:A relative age effect exists in elite German youth soccer, but it is not explained by an advantage in anthropometric or performance-related parameters. Younger players selected into national teams have a greater chance to become professionals later in their career.

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The Relative Age Effect in Soccer: Cross-Cultural Evidence for a Systematic Discrimination against Children Born Late in the Competition Year

Sociology of Sport Journal ◽

10.1123/ssj.16.1.54 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 54-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

Jochen Musch ◽

Roy Hay

Keyword(s):

Age Effect ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Birth Date ◽

Cultural Comparison ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Relative Age ◽

Cross Cultural Comparison ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Professional Soccer

Previous findings of skewed birth date distributions among sports professionals have been interpreted as evidence for a systematic discrimination against children born shortly before the cut-off date for each age grouping. Alternative explanations for these findings exist, however. This research therefore attempted to replicate the effect in a cross-cultural comparison. A strong relative age effect in professional soccer was found in Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Australia, showing that the effect is independent of different cut-off dates and a variety of climatic and sociocultural factors. A shifted peak in the birth date distribution of Australian soccer professionals paralleling a corresponding change in the cut-off date in Australian soccer in 1989 was also established. This pattern of results provides strong evidence for the cut-off date in youth soccer as the main cause for the relative age effect in professional soccer.

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Efecto relativo de la edad en futbol: estudio en un club Vasco profesional (Relative age effect in soccer: a study in a professional Basque club)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i25.34489 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 95-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona ◽

Aduna Badiola ◽

Cristina Granados ◽

José Antonio Lekue ◽

Markos Amado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Age Effect ◽

Birth Date ◽

Identification Process ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Selection Processes ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

High Level

El efecto relativo de la edad (RAE) ha sido ampliamente estudiado en futbol revelando una distribución de nacimientos sesgada que favorece a los jugadores nacidos en los primeros meses del año. También, se ha observado que el efecto es más relevante en los equipos de alto nivel. Con esto en mente, este estudio analiza el predominio del efecto relativo de la edad en diferentes equipos de un club de futbol profesional así como en los procesos de selección de este. Considerando todo el equipo, la distribución difiere significantemente de la distribución teórica esperada (p<.05). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los nacimientos observados y los esperados en las categorías alevines (masculino, x2 = 8.14, p<.05; femenino, x2 = 11.5, p<.01). Además, en la categoría femenina no hubo ninguna jugadora nacida entre septiembre y diciembre del año de selección. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los resultados esperados y observados en categorías superiores a pesar de observarse una distribución sesgada. En conjunto, hubo una sobrerrepresentación de jugadores nacidos en los primeros meses del año en todo el equipo confirmando la presencia del RAE en el club. Por otra parte, al analizar el efecto en los procesos de selección confirmamos que este comenzaba antes de que los jugadores ingresasen en el club. Se observaron diferencias significativas en todas las fases de selección entre los jugadores seleccionados y no seleccionados (x2 = 18.10-7.80, p<.05). En consecuencia, podemos decir que el RAE comienza en la identificación temprana de los jugadores. Palabras clave: Fecha de nacimiento, RAE, fútbol, club profesional.Abstract: The presence of RAE has been widely reported and studied in soccer revealing skewed birth-date distributions favoring individuals born early in the selection year. Indeed, it has been documented that RAE is more relevant in high level teams. With this in mind, the present study examined the prevalence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in different age groups of a professional soccer club and in the selection processes of the same club. Considering the entire club, distribution differs significantly from the theoretical distribution expected (p<.05). Regarding different categories, there were significant differences between the observed and expected births in both alevin categories (male, x2 = 8.14, p<.05; female, x2 = 11.5, p<.01). Moreover, in womens alevin age group none of the players was born between September and December of the selection year. Nevertheless, they were not significant differences between the expected and observed results in higher categories but a comparatively biased distribution was observed. Overall, we found an over-representation of players born at the beginning of the year confirming the presence of the RAE in the club. When analyzing the effect of RAE in the talent identification process we observed that it begins before the players enter the club. Comparing the distributions of the not-selected players against the selected players significant differences were found in each of the selection phases (x2 = 18.10-7.80, p<.05). Thus, results revealed that the relative age effect acts in the early identification process of the players.Keywords: Birth date, RAE, soccer, professional club.

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Are Soccer and Futsal Affected by the Relative Age Effect? The Portuguese Football Association Case

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679476 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Pedro Figueiredo ◽

André Seabra ◽

Marta Brito ◽

Marta Galvão ◽

João Brito

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Young Male ◽

Age Effect ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Training Institution ◽

Chi Square ◽

Male Youth ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect

A better understanding of the relative age effect (RAE) in youth will increase the awareness of the need for reducing the bias of (de)selection. Thus, we investigated the RAE in youth female and male soccer and futsal players in Portugal, using nationwide data. Birthdates of 5,306 female and 126,285 male soccer players, and 2,437 female and 23,988 male futsal players (U7–U19), registered in Portugal during the season 2019–2020, and Portuguese National teams (from U15 to AA soccer teams and from U17 to AA futsal teams) were analyzed. Data were categorized into age groups and certification levels [no certification, basic football training center, football school, and training institution] of the respective clubs/academies. Birthdates were stratified from the start of the selection year using quartiles (Q) and semesters (S). Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were analyzed using chi-square statistics, and RAEs were calculated using odds ratios (OR). In both soccer and futsal, female players, in the age category U9, RAEs were found (Q1 vs. Q4, OR: 1.49 and 1.84, respectively). In male soccer, differences in the birthdate distribution were observed in all age categories (U7–U19) with significant OR between all comparisons (Q and S). In contrast, an over-representation of young male futsal players (Q1 vs. Q4) was observed only in the age categories U7 and U9 (OR: 1.54 and 1.34, respectively). The stratification by certification level showed a significant RAE for all certification levels in male soccer players. In contrast, in male futsal players, the RAE was significant only in clubs and academies with the highest level. For National teams, the RAE was more pronounced in male soccer, particularly in the U16 and U17 (OR: 9.84 and 12.36, respectively). Data showed a RAE in female and male youth soccer and futsal, particularly in male, younger age categories, and in clubs and academies having a higher certification level, which could be accompanied by a loss of valuable elite players during the youth phase of their careers. Thus, adjustments in the systems and structure of talent identification are recommended to prevent RAE-related discrimination in youth soccer and futsal.

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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 ◽

10.3390/children8121117 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1117

Author(s):

Benito Pérez-González ◽

Jairo León-Quismondo ◽

José Bonal ◽

Pablo Burillo ◽

Álvaro Fernández-Luna

Keyword(s):

Age Effect ◽

Soccer Players ◽

South American ◽

Male Youth ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Unequal Opportunities ◽

New Generation

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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“He’s Just a Wee Laddie”: The Relative Age Effect in Male Scottish Soccer

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633469 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

James H. Dugdale ◽

Allistair P. McRobert ◽

Viswanath B. Unnithan

Keyword(s):

Financial Constraints ◽

Age Groups ◽

Age Effect ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Age Group ◽

Male Youth ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

And Performance

Significant structural, developmental, and financial constraints exist in Scottish soccer that may predicate a different approach to talent identification and development. To our knowledge, no published reports exist evaluating the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) in Scottish soccer players. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the RAE among varied playing levels and ages of male Scottish youth soccer players. Birthdates of male youth players (n = 1,230) from U10 to U17 age groups and from playing levels: “Amateur” (n = 482), “Development” (n = 214), and “Performance” (n = 534), alongside a group of male Scottish senior professional players (n = 261) were recorded and categorized into quartiles (Q1 = January–March; Q2 = April–June; Q3 = July–September; and Q4 = October–December) and semesters (S1 = January–June and S2 = July–December) from the start of the selection year. Birthdates were analyzed for: (a) each playing level and (b) each age group irrespective of playing level. For the varied playing levels examined, an RAE was evident in “Development” and “Performance” playing levels only at youth level. When examining each age group, an RAE was observed in U12–U17 players only. While there was a slight asymmetry favoring Q1 born senior professional players, the RAE was not present within this group of our sample. Results from our study suggest that a bias in selecting individuals born earlier in the selection year may exist within male soccer academy structures, but not at amateur level. The asymmetry favoring chronologically older players at youth but not professional level questions the efficacy of this (un)conscious bias within male Scottish soccer players.

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The relative age effect in Brazilian soccer: so what?

Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte ◽

10.33155/j.ramd.2020.03.007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 65-70

Author(s):

Dalmo Roberto Lopes Machado ◽

Pedro Pugliesi Abdalla ◽

Ana Claudia Rossini Venturini ◽

André Pereira Dos Santos ◽

Nilo Cesar Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Partial Correlation ◽

Technical Skills ◽

Age Effect ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Chi Square ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Significant Difference

Objectiveː our purpose was a) to describe the Relative Age Effect occurrence in Brazilian elite youth soccer players; b) to identify the association between Relative Age Effect and technical skills and c) to examine how Relative Age Effect can affect Physical Fitness. Method: Eighty-one Brazilian elite soccer players from three age-group teams (U-15, U-17 and U-20) were classified by birth quartiles according to their date of birth. Relative Age Effect was determined when there was a statistically significant difference between players who were born in BQ1 (January through March) to the other birth quartiles (Chi-Square). The association between Relative Age Effect and Technical Rankings was verified by the correlation. The partial correlation controlled for date of birth and for maturity offset was also performed. Relative Age Effect on Physical Fitness was verified by the variance (ANOVA) of its components on each team’s birth quartiles. Results: Players born in BQ1 were the most selected in U-15 (60%) and U-17 (35%) teams, but not in U-20 (25%). A low to moderate (Rho = 0.04 to 0.53) correlation was found between birth quartiles and Technical Rankings, while date of birth and maturation (partial correlation) effects were identified in the U-15 team. Although birth quartiles do not affect Physical Fitness (ANOVA), it may favour some Physical Fitness components (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The greater risk of Relative Age Effect in younger teams is due to the greater emphasis on technical skills. When date of birth and maturation are controlled for, the association between Technical Rankings and birth quartiles is reduced. There was no evidence that Relative Age Effect affected the players’ game performance.

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Is there a Relative Age Effect in the Competition Total Scores and its Components of Junior Individual Rhythmic Gymnasts?

10.53350/pjmhs2115102986 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 2986-2990

Author(s):

Pinar Tatlibal ◽

Emine Kutlay ◽

Onur Oral

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Age Effect ◽

Test Analysis ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Talent Selection ◽

Group I ◽

Rhythmic Gymnastics ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group Ii

Background: Children born at the beginning of the year may be cognitively, emotionally, and physically more advantageous than those born at the end of the year. Aim: This study aims to determine whether there is a relative age effect (RAE) on the total scores and its components of the gymnasts in their routines, competing in the 1st Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships Individual All-Around Ranking-Apparatus Qualification in 2019. Methods: 138 gymnasts from 61 countries participated in this competition and 61 gymnasts competed in each apparatus. The total scores (TS) and its components in gymnasts' competition routines were analyzed according to gymnasts' age groups (13, 14, and 15 years old) and period of birth [Group I (those born in the first six months of the year), Group II (those born in the last six months of the year)]. Differences and percentages of change between the two periods were examined. A total of 732 scores (Difficulty, Execution, and Total Scores) were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Test analysis were used for statistical evaluation. Results: When the TS and its components were examined in all age groups and all routines, no significant difference was observed between Group I and Group II in terms of RAE. Conclusion: It is thought that considering the RAE in talent selection and orientation programs, participation in sports activities and performance evaluation may be useful for athletes, coaches, and administrators. Keywords: Rhythmic gymnastics, competition performance scores, relative age effect, gymnast

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The Relative Age Effect in the Top 100 ATP Tennis Players 2016–2018

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology ◽

10.5817/cz.muni.p210-9631-2020-31 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Michal Bozděch ◽

Adrián Agricola ◽

Jiří Nykodým ◽

Antonín Zderčík ◽

Tomáš Vodička

Keyword(s):

Effect Size ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Age Effect ◽

Birth Date ◽

Large Sample Size ◽

Ratio Test ◽

Tennis Players ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Significant Difference

The issue of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) has been monitored in the field of sports for more than 30 years. Its theoretical framework is based on the premise that during the pubescent period athletes born at the beginning of the year experience earlier biological acceleration re-sulting in a higher level of physiological, mental, morphological and psychological attributes than their later-born peers. A number of publications show that this temporary advantage often manifests itself in elite competitions at the junior level, but gradually disappears during the transition to professional senior competitions. The aim of this work was to determine the level of the RAE in the elite 100 ATP tennis players (ATP Rankings) in 2016–2018. To assess the influence of the RAE, the Chi-Squared (ꭕ2) test in the variant of Goodness of Fit was used for the assessment of the conformity of expected and observed frequency distribution due to the categorical character of the research data and the large sample size. The Cohen’s w val-ue calculation was used to assess the effect size (ES, since it is not a random representative selection of elements of the research set) of the ꭕ2 test values. The odds ratio (OR) was used to assess the chance of players from the Q individual quarters to get among the best 100 players. The results show that, in terms of effect size (ES), the effect of birth date in all the Top 100 players is small (w = .22) during the entire observed period 2016–2018; the influence of RAE is therefore dismissed. The ES in the individual years is again small (w = .21–.25); the influence of RAE is also dismissed. In analysing the effect of birth date, the mean rate of effect size was found in tennis players in positions 1 to 25 (w = .46) as well as in tennis play-ers in positions 51 to 75 (w = .37); the RAE influence is therefore not rejected. Only a small measure of effect size was found between positions 26 to 50 and 76 to 100 (w = .21–.25); the RAE influence is rejected. No statistically significant difference has been found between the observed and expected distribution of birth date between the observed quarters of the year (odds ratio test, p > .05) and it has not, therefore, been proven that tennis players from any of the quarters Q –Q had a better chance of getting among the Top 100 tennis players. It can be concluded that professional senior tennis had not shown the RAE influence to the extent usual in junior categories during the observed period of 2016–2018.

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The Influence of Relative Age Effects on the Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels of Children Age 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 Years of Age

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.24.1.72 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 72-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Simon J. Roberts ◽

Lynne M. Boddy ◽

Stuart J. Fairclough ◽

Gareth Stratton

Keyword(s):

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Age Groups ◽

Age Effect ◽

Age Effects ◽

Fitness Testing ◽

Public Health Perspective ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

First Time

The aims of this study were firstly to examine whether there was an observed relative age effect in the cardiorespiratory fitness scores of 9-10 and 11-12 year old children, and secondly whether any observed effect was maintained after controlling for somatic maturity. Cardiorespiratory fitness data from 11,404 children aged 9-10 years and 3,911 children aged 11-12 years were obtained from a large cross-sectional field-based fitness testing program. A one-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant relative age effect (p < .01) existed in the 20mSRT scores across all the age groups. Furthermore, ANCOVA analyses identified a statistically significant relative age effect was maintained after controlling for somatic maturation (p < .05). From a public health perspective these results confirm the existence of relative age effects for the first time and consequently may hold implications for relatively younger children in the accurate assessment of their cardiorespiratory fitness scores.

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