scholarly journals The relative age effect in Brazilian soccer: so what?

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.

scholarly journals Relative Age Effect in Anthropometrical Characteristics and Physical Fitness Among Youth Soccer Players of Amateur Clubs

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (0) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yiannis Michailidis ◽  
Charalambos Zelenitsas ◽  
Dimitrios Mikikis ◽  
Kosmas Christoulas ◽  
Thomas Metaxas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

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 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 Relative age effect, skeletal maturation and aerobic running performance in youth soccer players

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson Santiago Teixeira ◽  
Juliano Fernandes da Silva ◽  
Priscila Cristina dos Santos ◽  
Paulo Cesar do Nascimento Salvador ◽  
Fernando de Souza Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Skeletal Maturation ◽  
Running Performance ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

scholarly journals RELATIVE AGE EFFECT AMONG YOUNG CROATIAN TAEKWONDO COMPETITORS

2021 ◽  
pp. 86-89
Author(s):  
Matej Babić ◽  
Dražen Čular ◽  
Igor Jelaska
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Effect Of Age ◽  
Selection Of

Aim of this research was to identify and analyse relative age effect (RAE) on sample composed of young Croatian taekwondo competitors. In order with aim of research, for medal winners (n1=72) and other competitors (n2=187) who competed at Croatian taekwondo cadet championship 2015, date of birth, weight category and sport success were extracted. By conducting of Chi-square test on all competitors (n=259) it is proven there is non-significant difference (χ2=12.28; p=0.34) between expected and observed frequencies according to month of birth. Furthermore, significant difference between observed and expected frequencies according to year of birth of medal winners (χ2=45.31; p<0.01) is confirmed. Results of this research are pointing on presence of RAE which could lead to mistakes in selection of young athletes. Authors are suggesting to minimize allowed age range for competition, or to separate competitors in more age categories, which would enable more equal competitions and reduce effect of age on sport success.

scholarly journals Relative Age Effect in the Sport Environment. Role of Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Youth Soccer Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florentino Huertas ◽  
Rafael Ballester ◽  
Honorato José Gines ◽  
Abdel Karim Hamidi ◽  
Consuelo Moratal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Attentional Functioning ◽  
Age Related

The need to achieve short-term competitive outcomes in sports may influence the emergence of talent selection strategies, which could bias individuals’ opportunities. The present study aimed to further explore the relative age effect (RAE), a phenomenon that strongly influences youth sport development. The RAE refers to a disproportionately high percentage in sport teams of athletes born early in the selection year. Our primary focus was to explore whether the RAE is supported by behavioral evidence in favor of better fitness—and especially cognitive-attentional functioning—of early as compared to late-born players. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 105 young athletes (u10, n = 52; 9.8 ± 0.3 years old, and u12, n = 53; 11.8 ± 0.2 years old) attending two youth elite soccer academies. Attentional functioning, anthropometrics, physical fitness, and game intelligence were compared across two Age Groups (u10 vs. u12) and four Birth Quarters (BQ1–BQ4). The RAE was statistically significant (p < 0.001), showing that about 50% of participants were born in the first quarter and 75% were born in the first half of the year. More importantly, U12 players outperformed u10 players in measures that were related to sustained attention (with faster and less variable responses; p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), and in all anthropometric measures (p < 0.001), physical-fitness capacities (p < 0.05). Crucially, neither the attentional measures, game intelligence, anthropometrics, nor physical fitness were affected by BQ (all ps > 0.1 and BF10 between 0.08 and 0.6, showing strong evidence for the null hypothesis). The present findings suggest that the early selection process that occurs during scouting in youth soccer academies offsets the age-related differences that could be anticipated in cognitive skills, anthropometrics, and physical abilities, due to growth and maturation. These birth asymmetries could lead teams to disregard later maturation athletes and athletes born later in the year inducing a larger dropout of those players with the consequent reduction in the talent pool.

scholarly journals The Relative Age Effect in Poland's Elite Youth Soccer Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystian Rubajczyk ◽  
Andrzej Rokita
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
National Team ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Biological Development

Abstract The relative age effect (RAE) is related to discrimination against youth athletes born in the last quarter of the calendar year. The current study presents research on the RAE in elite youth soccer players in Poland. Players in the Central Junior League (CLJ) finals represent 0.59% of the 25,756 players under 20 years old (U20). This study analyzed the post-game protocols of the CLJ knockout stage from the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons as well as the U17-U21 teams during 2015, including only players who played on the field for at least one minute (n = 395). The results revealed the existence of RAE in the examined groups ( CLJ 2013/2014, χ23 = 15.441, p < 0.01, CLJ 2014/2015, χ23 = 20.891, p < 0.001 U17-U21, χ23 = 25.110, p < 0.001). In addition, the results differed by monthly birth distribution in the Polish population (PP) between 1995 and 1999. This study is the first to examine the RAE in youth soccer in Poland. The occurrence of the RAE with regard to the most promising youth and national team players suggests that a similar effect exists among younger age categories. To reduce the RAE related to identifying soccer talent, tools should be implemented to optimize the player-selection process, such as those that consider the biological development of a player.

Relative age effect: Characteristics of youth soccer players by birth quarter and subsequent playing status

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 677-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
António J. Figueiredo ◽  
Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
Robert M. Malina
Keyword(s):  
Age Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect

scholarly journals 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 ◽  
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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