The relative age and birth order effect in Japanese professional football

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110542
Author(s):  
Dai Yamamoto ◽  
Jun Takafuji ◽  
Tomoyuki Kato ◽  
Kazutake Kawai ◽  
Chihiro Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Birth Order ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Order Effect ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Training System ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Two Factors

This study examines how the probability of becoming a professional football player depends on the birth month (relative age effect) and birth order. These two factors are random and cannot be controlled by the athlete. If these factors influence the probability of the occurrence of top athletes, they not only create inequality but also close the disciplines to potentially talented athletes, lowering the level of competition. Therefore, in this study, we statistically clarified the presence or absence of “giftedness of life” by focusing on the birth month and birth order of professional football league players in the Japan Professional Football League (J-League). Our results indicate that the probability of the occurrence of J-League players decreases significantly with increasing birth order and birth month (180 days, from April onward). Moreover, we found that second-born players with an older brother had higher estimated salaries than players without siblings. These results reveal the characteristics of excellent football players and suggest the importance and direction of improvement in talent discovery and development in sports. Based on our results, we recommend improvements in the player training system to buffer the effects of relative age effect and birth order.

scholarly journals Differences on Motor Competence in 4-Year-Old Boys and Girls Regarding the Quarter of Birth: Is There a Relative Age Effect?

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Rubén Navarro-Patón ◽  
Víctor Arufe-Giráldez ◽  
Alberto Sanmiguel-Rodríguez ◽  
Marcos Mecías-Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Manual Dexterity ◽  
Motor Competence ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Movement Assessment ◽  
Gender Factor ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Total Test

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences on motor competence between boys and girls aged 4 years old and investigate the existence of Relative Age Effect on their motor competence. In total, 132 preschool children were evaluated, of whom 60 (45.50%) were girls and 72 (54.5%) were boys. The distribution of the participants was from quarter 1 [n = 28 (21.2%)], quarter 2 [n = 52 (39.4%)], quarter 3 [n = 24 (18.2%)], and quarter 4 [(n = 28 (21.2%)], respectively. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to collect the data. The data show the main effects on quarter of birth factor in manual dexterity (MD; p < 0.001), in aiming and catching (A&C; p < 0.001), in balance (Bal; p < 0.001) and in total test score (TTS; p < 0.001). There are also statistical differences on gender factor in MD (p < 0.001) and in TTS (p = 0.031). A significant effect was also found in the interaction between two factors (gender and quarter of birth) in MD (p < 0.001), A&C (p < 0.001), and Bal (p < 0.001). There are differences in all the variables studied according to the quarter of birth and only in manual dexterity and in the total score if compared according to gender (the scores are higher in girls).

scholarly journals Relative age effect in physical attributes and motor fitness at different birth-month quartile

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2S) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Mat-Rasid ◽  
M.R. Abdullah ◽  
H Juahir ◽  
R.M. Musa ◽  
A.B.H.M. Maliki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Motor Fitness ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Physical Attributes

What a difference a (birth) month makes: The relative age effect and fund manager performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 200-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
John (Jianqiu) Bai ◽  
Linlin Ma ◽  
Kevin A. Mullally ◽  
David H. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Fund Manager ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Manager Performance

Relative age effects in American professional football

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack F. Heneghan ◽  
Michael C. Herron
Keyword(s):  
Football Player ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
American Football ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Athletic Success

Abstract We test for the existence of relative age effects in professional American football. In a sample of 18,898 football players born on or after 1940, there is an excess of January and February births – consistent with a relative age effect associated with calendar year – as well as a slight increase in September births – consistent with the fact that some football players we analyze attended high school in states with fall school cutoff dates. We consider the possibility that relative age effects may affect skilled football positions more than positions relying heavily on player weight, and we find suggestive evidence of this. Lastly, and contrary to what has recently been shown in professional hockey, we find no evidence that misguided preferences for relatively older players lead to selection-based inefficiencies in football player drafting. Our results have implications for evaluating potential football players and speak broadly to the role of physiological factors beyond player control on athletic success.

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.

scholarly journals Athletic Performance and Birth Month: Is the Relative Age Effect More than just Selection Bias?

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. e6-e6
Author(s):  
G. Sandercock ◽  
A. Ogunleye ◽  
D. Parry ◽  
D. Cohen ◽  
M. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Selection Bias ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month

scholarly journals Relative age effect in European professional football. Analysis by position

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 966-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Salinero ◽  
Benito Pérez ◽  
Pablo Burillo ◽  
María L. Lesma
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

scholarly journals Relative age effect in U-16 Asian Championship Soccer Tournament

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pathmanathan K. Suppiah ◽  
Jeffrey Low Fook Lee ◽  
Abdul Muiz Nor Azmi ◽  
Hasnol Noordin ◽  
Rabiu Muazu Musa
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Month Of Birth ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Older Athletes ◽  
Cognitive Knowledge

Athletes born at the beginning of the year may present the advantage of physical characteristics, motor ability or cognitive knowledge that could increase their chances for selection against their peers. This circumstance could lead to the over-representation of older athletes in an age-defined competition which is commonly referred to as relative age effect (RAE). Although, a number of studies have demonstrated that RAE is apparent in youth soccer, such studies barely investigates the performance advantage that may likely exists across the birth month of the athletes. The current study aims to determine the presence of RAE in the under 16 Asian Football Confederation Championship (AFC), investigate the effect of RAE on the team qualification success as well as ascertain the existence of RAE in the playing position amongst the soccer players. Data of the 2018 AFC under 16 qualifications matches were obtained from the AFC. A total of 719 players from 32 countries participated in the qualification competitions. Chi-square for goodness fit is used to determine the existence of the RAE across the players’ month of birth while logistic regression is applied to analyze the differences of the quartiles’ distribution with respect to the quartile, qualification status (qualifier or non-qualifier) as well as the playing position of the players. The results demonstrate the presence of RAE in the AFC under 16 soccer tournaments [χ2(4) = 21.53; p < 0.001] with the largest number of older players dominating the qualified team. Likewise, a substantial difference is observed with regards to the quartile and various playing position of the players p < 0.05.

scholarly journals Early Single Sport Specialization in a High-Achieving US Athlete Population: Comparing National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athletes and Undergraduate Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1050-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. DiFiori ◽  
Celeste Quitiquit ◽  
Aaron Gray ◽  
Edward J. Kimlin ◽  
Ryan Baker
Keyword(s):  
Student Athletes ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Division I ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Potential Marker

Context Early single-sport specialization and the relative age effect are often cited as improving the chances of sport success. Both concepts suggest that genetics and the environment have little influence on sport success. Objective To compare National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes (SAs) with their undergraduate nonathlete peers (NAs) in terms of birth month, age of sport initiation, and age of single-sport specialization. A family history of sport participation was examined as a potential marker for genetic and social influences. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Large urban university. Patients or Other Participants A total of 273 Division I SAs (138 women, 135 men) and 155 NAs (78 women, 77 men) participated. The NAs had been involved in competitive youth sports before entering the university. Main Outcome Measure(s) Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that addressed the age of sport initiation, birth month, age of single-sport specialization, and parental and sibling sport achievement. Main Results Neither birth month nor the age of sport initiation differed between groups (age of sport initiation = 7.16 ± 2.6 years for the SAs versus 7.71 ± 3.5 for the NAs; P = .176). A larger proportion of SAs began participating before 10 years of age (80% versus 63%; P = .02). The parents of SAs were more likely to have participated in collegiate (32.4% versus 8.4%; P &lt; .0001) and professional (10.9% versus 1.3%; P = .0005) sports. The SAs specialized in a single sport at an older age (15.38 ± 2.7 years versus 14.30 ± 2.6 years; P = .002). Both groups participated in multiple sports in childhood (SAs = 3.9 ± 1.8 sports, NAs = 3.2 ± 1.8 sports; P = .366). Conclusions The Division I SAs did not specialize in a single sport at a younger age than the NAs. No evidence of a relative age effect was present. Importantly, higher levels of sport achievement among the parents and siblings of SAs suggest that genetic endowment and family or other environmental dynamics play a large role in athletic performance. Overall, the results are not consistent with deliberate practice theory and point toward an alternative model that includes not only sport-specific skill development but also genetic and social factors as key elements of long-term sport achievement.

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