scholarly journals Academic Timing and the Relative Age Effect Among Male and Female Athletes in Canadian Interuniversity Volleyball

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 182-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Safranyos ◽  
Laura Chittle ◽  
Sean Horton ◽  
Jess C. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Goodness Of Fit Tests ◽  
Relative Age Effect

This study examined the moderating effects of academic timing on the relative age effect in men's and women's U Sports (formerly Canadian Interuniversity Sports) volleyball. Interuniversity sport exists within an academic setting and encompasses different age groups within a single team, making it necessary to account for the academic timing of student athletes when studying the relative age effect. To be considered “on-time,” a student athlete's birthdate and expected athletic eligibility status must coincide, while a “delayed” student athlete will have an athletic eligibility corresponding with a younger cohort. We collected birthdates and eligibility years from the U Sports eligibility certificates of 2,780 male and 3,715 female athletes for the years 2006–2007 through 2013–2014; we then classified athletes as either on-time or delayed. We used a chi-square (χ2) goodness-of-fit tests to compare the observed distributions of student athletes' actual versus “expected” births across each quartile. Our analyses demonstrated an advantage for athletes born in the first half of the selection year. These results suggest that delaying entry into university may help equalize the playing field for relatively younger athletes wishing to compete in U Sports volleyball.

scholarly journals Small Relative Age Effect Appears in Professional Female Italian Team Sports

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
Paolo Riccardo Brustio ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
Paolo De Pasquale ◽  
Corrado Lupo ◽  
Alexandru Nicolae Ungureanu
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Goodness Of Fit Tests ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Female Sports ◽  
Italian Context

The relative age effect (RAE) concerns those (dis)advantages and outcomes resulting from an interaction between the dates of selection and birthdates. Although this phenomenon is well known in a male context, limited data are available in female sports. Thus, the aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence and magnitude of the RAE in a female Italian context at the professional level in basketball, soccer, and volleyball. A total of 1535 birthdates of elite senior players were analyzed overall and separately between early and late career stages. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were applied to investigate the RAE in each sport. An asymmetry in birthdates was observed in all sports (Crammer’s V ranged = 0.10–0.12). Players born close to the beginning of the year were 1.62 and 1.61 times more likely to reach first and second Italian divisions of soccer and volleyball, respectively, than those born in the last part of the year. A small over-representation of female athletes born close to the beginning of the year is evident at the senior professional level in all Italian investigated team sports. In soccer, this trend was more evident in the first stage of a senior career.

scholarly journals The relative age-related participation trends in European Badminton

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
MERT BILGIC ◽  
ERHAN DEVRILMEZ
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
The Other ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Goodness Of Fit Tests ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Age Related ◽  
European Youth

Background: T he purpose of this study was to identify the relative age effect (RAE) in European youth badminton through examining participation trends. Material and methods: T he birthdate distributions of 1909 badminton players (males = 994, females = 915) participating in the last three consecutive European U15, U17 and Junior (U19) Badminton Championships were analysed. Chi-square (χ²) goodness-of-fit tests were used to determine inter-quartile differences, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated in order to compare quartiles with each other. Results: Statistically significant over-representation of players born shortly after the cut-off date was determined. Regarding gender, RAE was more notable in males compared to females, and the strongest results were determined in U15 compared to the other age categories. Moreover, striking trends were determined in Q1–Q4 comparisons, particularly as players in Q1 were more than twice for females and thrice for males as likely to participate in the European Badminton Championships. Conclusions: F indings of this study confirm the presence of RAE in European youth badminton though decreasing its intensity with age. Certain precautions or different approaches should be taken into consideration to organize the age categories, such as biological markers, variations, rotations or age quota for equal opportunities.

scholarly journals The relative age effect in young athletes: A countywide analysis of 9–14-year-old participants in all competitive sports

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254687
Author(s):  
Susana M. Gil ◽  
Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona ◽  
Jon Larruskain ◽  
Izaro Esain ◽  
Jon Irazusta
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Competitive Sports ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Young Athletes ◽  
Goodness Of Fit Test ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

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.

scholarly journals The Relative Age Effect in Czech U14 Male and Female Tennis Players in 2007–2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Roman Koloničný
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Goodness Of Fit Test ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Junior Tennis ◽  
The Impact

The issue of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) has been long researched, discussed and published both in the academic and coaching community and the number of studies on it in various sports has significantly grown in recent years. The aim of this study was to verify the existence of RAE among Czech male (n = 6552) and female (n = 4131) junior tennis players and to identify possible differences in birthdate effect between male and female players. The research was carried out in players registered in the years 2007–2016 in the U14 age category in Czech Tennis Association (CTA) database; the athletes were divided into three subgroups (‘Ranked’, ‘Top 100’, ‘Top 10’). Research data were analysed by the methods of descriptive and inferential statistics: relative and absolute frequency, chi-square goodness of fit test () and chi-square test of independence () with the use of effect size (ES index w). A declining tendency of frequencies from Q1 to Q4 between male and female junior players was proven in all three subgroups.In the whole period of 2007–2016, a significant and strong RAE was demonstrated only in the ‘Top 10’ male subgroup (RAE was significant and ES was small or trivial in the other two subgroups). Among the female players, RAE was significant in all three subgroups (ES was small or trivial). Gender differences in RAE in favour of male players were significant in ‘Top 100’ and ‘Ranked’ (ES was small or trivial in all three subgroups). In the short and long term, RAE can have significant implications for the sport development of athletes; both coaches and the professional public can therefore be recommended to pay attention to this issue. The impact of RAE in sport, i.e. the uneven distribution of athletes’ birthdates, is more pronounced especially among junior athletes and often significantly affects their sports development and career.

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

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.

scholarly journals Efecto de la edad relativa para el desarrollo del talento en jóvenes triatletas (Relative age effect for talents’ development in young triathletes)

Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Alberto Ferriz Valero ◽  
Sergio Sellés Pérez ◽  
Miguel García Jaén ◽  
Roberto Cejuela Anta
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
The Other ◽  
Month Of Birth ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

El mes de nacimiento tiene importantes implicaciones en el desarrollo del talento deportivo, especialmente para algunos deportes y grupos de edad. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el efecto de la edad relativa -EER- en jóvenes triatletas. Para ello, se identificó el cuartil de nacimiento de 160 triatletas cadetes que participaron en liga de triatlón valenciana durante el periodo 2012-2016, clasificando, por un lado, aquéllos que formaron parte de los programas de tecnificación y, por otro, los que obtuvieron medalla. Se aplicaron los test estadísticos Chi-cuadrado, Kruskal-Wallis y el test de contraste de proporciones a través de SPSS®y Microsoft Excel®. Los resultados mostraron que los triatletas nacidos en el primer cuartil del año predominan en los programas de tecnificación en triatlón y obtienen más medallas que el resto, especialmente de oro.Abstract. The month of birth has important implications for the development of sports talents, especially for some sports and age groups. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of relative age -RAE - in young triathletes. For this reason, during the period 2012-2016 the birth quartile of 160 young triathletes who participated in the Valencian Triathlon League was identified, categorizing those who took part in high performance programs on one side, and on the other those who achieved medals. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and proportion contrast tests were applied through SPSS® and Microsoft Excel®. The results showed that triathletes born in the first quartile of the year predominate in triathlon high performance programs and win more medals than the rest, especially gold ones.

scholarly journals Relative age effect on competitive performance in judo athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Victor Ramalho Lucena ◽  
Pedro Pinheiro Paes ◽  
Gustavo Augusto Fernandes Correia ◽  
Bruna Giovana Correia Souza ◽  
Mayllane Pereira da Silva Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Competitive Performance ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference

The difference of chronological age in an age group is called Relative Age (RA) and its consequences on the performance of athletes is called Relative Age Effect (RAE). It is believed that the RAE among young athletes can affect their competitive success in many ways, even into adulthood. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the EIR in all judo competitors of the national competitions of the year 2013, making the differentiation by age categories and the competitive performance. This study included 862 male athletes and 637 female athletes. The chi-square was used to compare the observed and expected values among quartiles, adopting significance as p < 0.05. A post hoc Bonferroni analysis was used to identify where the significant differences were (adjusted p < 0.00417). The results showed a significant difference in the male sub-15 categories (Q2 in G1: OV= 17, EV = 9.7, p = 0.001) and male sub-23 (Q1 in G3: OV= 37, EV = 10.1; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the RAE was only identified in male athletes. However, there was great discrepancy between athletes born in the first semester and athletes born in the second semester.

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

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Relative Age Effect in Elite German Soccer: Influence of Gender and Competition Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Götze ◽  
Matthias W. Hoppe
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Small Effect Size ◽  
Competition Level ◽  
German Adult

The relative age effect (RAE) is associated with (dis)advantages in competitive sports. While the RAE in elite male soccer reveals a skewed birthdate distribution in relation to a certain cut-off date, research of RAE in elite female soccer is affected by small number of samples and conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the RAE in elite adult German soccer regarding gender and competition level. The sample comprised 680 female and 1,083 male players of the two top German leagues during the 2019/20 season and German national teams (A-Team to Under 19). Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were analyzed using chi-square statistics and effect sizes followed by calculating odds ratios. Results showed a statistically significant RAE with small effect size across all players included for both genders (female players: P &lt; 0.001, W = 0.16, male players: P &lt; 0.001, W = 0.23). The identified RAE was based on an over-representation of players born at the beginning of the year. According to gender and competition level, RAEs were more pronounced in German male soccer. While significant RAEs were found among males in the first two leagues (first league: P &lt; 0.001, W = 0.19, second league: P &lt; 0.001, W = 0.26), the RAE of females was more pronounced in the second league (first league: P = 0.080, W = 0.16, second league: P = 0.002, W = 0.20). The analysis of RAE regarding the national teams revealed a statistically significant RAE with large effect size for only the youngest investigated age group of male players (Under 19: P = 0.022, W = 0.52). Our data show an RAE in female and male German adult soccer, which could be accompanied by a loss of valuable elite players during the youth phase of the career. Consequently, the pool of talented players at the adult level would be limited.

Analysis of the Relative Age Effect in Elite Youth Judo Athletes

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1048-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Fukuda
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Judo Athletes

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate relative age effects (RAEs) in elite youth judo athletes from different chronological age groups, between sexes, and across weight categories. Data from 1542 place winners of the cadet (under 17 y, 2009-2013) and junior judo world championships (under 20/21 y, 1990-2013) were separated by birth month into quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4). The observed values were compared with expected annual age distributions using χ2 analyses, and odd ratios (OR) were used to evaluate effect sizes between quarters. The observed frequency of place winners was significantly different from the expected frequency for the age-group and sex comparisons and all body-mass groups (P < .05) with the exception of the extra-light categories (P = .572). When comparing Q1 with Q4 (OR, 95% confidence interval), small effect sizes were observed for cadets (1.72, 1.12-2.66), juniors (1.54, 1.23-1.94), males (1.75, 1.32-2.33), females (1.39, 1.03-1.87), and the light- (1.79, 1.21-2.64) and middle-weight (1.80, 1.20-2.70) categories. RAEs are apparent in cadet and junior judo athletes. Thus, coaches and administrators should consider the potential for physical and/or competitive advantages while adopting strategies that encourage long-term participation in youth judo athletes.

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