scholarly journals Relative Age-Related Biases in Objective and Subjective Assessments of Performance in Talented Youth Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Leyhr ◽  
Fynn Bergmann ◽  
Robert Schreiner ◽  
David Mann ◽  
Damir Dugandzic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Skewed Distribution ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Performance Levels ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Psychosocial Skills ◽  
Future Performance

Talent research has recommended that multidimensional assessments of performance are needed to improve the identification and development of talented young athletes. However, factors such as the relative age effect may cloud our ability to assess factors related to performance. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of any relationship between soccer players' chronological and relative age, and objective and subjective performance assessments. Data for highly talented male soccer players selected into the German Soccer Associations' talent promotion program (N = 16,138) for U12 to U15 age groups (Mage = 12.62 ± 1.04 years) were examined. Besides anthropometric assessments, players completed a battery of five motor tests that objectively assessed speed abilities and technical skills (specifically sprint, agility, dribbling, ball control, and juggling). In addition, coaches subjectively rated players on their kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills, as well as providing holistic evaluations of each player's current and future performance levels. Correlation analyses were used to investigate the extent of any relationships between the chronological and relative age of players and their results for each of the assessments. A strong linear decrease in the frequency of later-born players confirmed the overrepresentation of early-born players in all age groups (0.92 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.95, each p < 0.001). From U12 to U15, significant (each p < 0.001) correlations were found between the chronological age of players and their height (|r| = 0.70), weight (|r| = 0.69), speed abilities (|r| = 0.38), and technical skills (|r| = 0.43). When evaluating each age group separately, small effects were found when correlating relative age with the anthropometric assessments (0.18 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.26), and only trivial effects with speed abilities and technical skills (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.06). Similarly, low correlations were found for the subjective evaluations of kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills with chronological age across age groups (0.03 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.07), and with relative age in each age group (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.11). The results show a skewed distribution toward early-born players and—in reference to their relative age—advanced performance in late-born athletes. However, trends toward a better holistic rating of early-born players for current and future performance levels were found. Coaches should be aware of these effects during talent selection, but also when interpreting results from subjective and objective assessments of performance.

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

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.

Size and Maturity Mismatch in Youth Soccer Players 11- to 14-Years-Old

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
António J. Figueiredo ◽  
Manuel J. Coelho e Silva ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
Robert M. Malina
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Maturity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Goal Orientations ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Pubertal Status ◽  
Youth Soccer

The purpose of the study was to compare the anthropometric, functional and sport-specific skill characteristics and goal orientations of male youth soccer players at the extremes of height and skeletal maturity in two competitive age groups, 11–12 and 13–14 years. The shortest and tallest players, and least and most skeletally mature players (n = 8 per group) within each age group were compared on chronological age; skeletal age (Fels method); pubertal status (pubic hair); size, proportions and adiposity; four functional capacities; four soccer-specific skills; and task and ego orientation. The tallest players were older chronologically, advanced in maturity (skeletal, pubertal) and heavier, and had relatively longer legs than the shortest players in each age group. At 11–12 years, the most mature players were chronologically younger but advanced in pubertal status, taller and heavier with more adiposity. At 13–14 years, the most mature players were taller, heavier and advanced in pubertal status but did not differ in chronological age compared with the least mature players. Players at the extremes of height and skeletal maturity differed in speed and power (tallest > shortest; most mature > lest mature), but did not differ consistently in aerobic endurance and in soccer-specific skills. Results suggested that size and strength discrepancies among youth players were not a major advantage or disadvantage to performance. By inference, coaches and sport administrators may need to provide opportunities for or perhaps protect smaller, skilled players during the adolescent years.

scholarly journals Coaches’ Evaluations of Match Performance in Academy Soccer Players in Relation to the Adolescent Growth Spurt

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Hill ◽  
Sam Scott ◽  
Darragh McGee ◽  
Sean Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Rate Of Growth ◽  
Talent Selection ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Player Performance

AbstractIndividual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.

scholarly journals Injury Risk and Injury Burden Are Related to Age Group and Peak Height Velocity Among Talented Male Youth Soccer Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711881104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Jan Bult ◽  
Maarten Barendrecht ◽  
Igor Joeri Ramon Tak
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Peak Height ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Height Velocity ◽  
Incidence Density ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Peak Height Velocity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Injury Burden

Background: The relationship between injury risk (IR) in age groups and periods around peak height velocity (PHV) remains unclear. PHV is defined as the moment of the largest increase in body height. Purpose: To investigate injury risk and injury burden as functions of growth velocity (periods around PHV) and chronological age groupings (under 12 years [U12] to U19) in talented youth male soccer players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 170 players from the youth academy of a Dutch soccer club (highest professional league: Eredivisie) were observed for 1 to 3 seasons. Injuries, exposure, PHV age, and chronological age were registered. The injury incidence density (IID) and injury burden per 1000 hours of soccer participation, with 95% CIs, were calculated for 5 PHV periods and 7 age groups. These were compared with the overall cohort results using incidence ratios (IRs) and burden ratios (BRs) with 95% CIs. Results: The mean age at PHV was 14.4 ± 0.65 years (range, 12.8-16.5 years). The mean IID for the total cohort was 8.34 injuries per 1000 hours (95% CI, 7.71-9.02). Compared with the overall mean, a significantly higher IID was found for PHV period 4+5 (IR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.00-1.71]; P = .049) and for the U15 group (IR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.24-1.79]; P < .001). The overall injury burden was 58.37 injury days per 1000 hours (95% CI, 56.66-60.13). In PHV period 4+5, the injury burden was significantly higher (BR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.39-1.68]; P < .001) when compared with the overall mean. Also, compared with the overall mean, the injury burden was higher in the U16 (BR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.39-1.58]; P < .001), U15 (BR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.19-1.38]; P < .001), and U17 groups (BR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.13-1.31]; P < .001). Conclusion: Talented young soccer players were more prone to injuries during the 6 months after PHV (31% above overall mean) as well as in the U15 group (49% above overall mean). Based on the higher injury burden in the U16 (48%), U15 (28%), and U17 (21%) groups, we suggest that research on injury risk factors and preventive measures should primarily target these age groups. Additional interventions based on PHV may be of limited value from a screening perspective. Further research is needed on the interaction between age groups and PHV periods.

scholarly journals Predictive Value of Technical Throwing Skills on Nomination Status in Youth and Long-Term Career Attainment in Handball

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Till Koopmann ◽  
Franziska Lath ◽  
Dirk Büsch ◽  
Jörg Schorer
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
National Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Career Attainment ◽  
Future Performance ◽  
Younger Age

Abstract Background Research on talent in sports aims to identify predictors of future performance. This study retrospectively investigated 1) relationships between young handball field players’ technical throwing skills and (a) their potential nomination to youth national teams and (b) their long-term career attainment 10 years later, and 2) associations between nomination status and career attainment. Results Results from retrospectively predicting nomination status and career attainment using logistic regression analyses show that technical throwing skills were partly able to explain players’ nomination status (Nagelkerke R2: females 9.2%, males 13.1%) and career attainment (Nagelkerke R2: 9.8% for female players). Here, variables throwing velocity and time on exercise showed statistically significant effects. In addition, nomination status and career attainment were shown to be associated using chi-square tests (w of .37 and .23 for female and male players, respectively) and nomination status as a predictor increased the prediction of career attainment remarkably (Nagelkerke R2: females 20.3%, males 12.7%). Conclusions Given these results, basic technical throwing skills may serve rather as a prerequisite in this age group on national level, emphasizing its importance already on lower levels and in younger age groups. Furthermore, advantages from entering the national TID system early especially for females are discussed.

scholarly journals Age-Group Differences in Reactive Strength and Measures of Intra-day Reliability in Female International Footballers

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Doyle ◽  
Declan Browne ◽  
Dan Horan
Keyword(s):  
Soccer Player ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Strength Index ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Jump Test ◽  
Female Soccer Player

The aim of this present study was to compare the reactive strength index (RSI) characteristics and trial to trial reliability of U17, U19 and Senior female international soccer players. Fifty – seven elite female soccer player participated in the study, (age:  18.1 + 3.1 years; height: 167.5 + 6.3 cm; weight: 61.84 + 7.7 kg). Participants performed 3 maximal repetitions of the 10/5 repeated jump test (10/5RJT) following a specific warm-up and familiarisation protocol. Senior players possessed higher levels of RSI with large effect size present when compared with the U17 (P= 0.043, ES = .97) and U19 (ES = 0.85) age groups. Trivial differences (ES = 0.17) in RSI existed between the U17 and U19 age categories. Trial-to-trial analyses demonstrated 10/5 RJT RSI to possess adequate levels of reliability with a range of mean coefficients of variance (CV) of 3.1 – 7.3 %   and intraclass correlation (ICC) between 0.95 – 0.98 present across all three age groups. However, large variations in the between – athlete CV for RSI were revealed ranging from 1 – 27 %, 0.4 – 10.3%, and 1 – 7 % for U17, U19 and senior age groups respectively. These results suggest that age group can distinguish reactive strength capabilities. In addition, female international footballers with higher levels of RSI appear to produce more reliable measures of RSI via the 10/5 RJT.

scholarly journals Difference in declarative tactical knowledge between U-11 and U-15 soccer players

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Verbal Report ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Simulation Test ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Practice Time ◽  
Tactical Knowledge

AbstractPurpose. The aim of this study was to compare the level of declarative tactical knowledge between U-11 and U-15 academy players. Methods. The sample comprised 36 U-11 (n = 18) and U-15 (n = 18) soccer players, with practice time of 1404.00 ± 469.52 hours and 2663.55 ± 594.91 hours, respectively. The players’ practice time was collected through a recording questionnaire. Declarative tactical knowledge was assessed through a verbal report used during a video simulation test. The answers provided during the test were scored as follows: best solution (1 point); second best solution (0.75 points); third best solution (0.50 points); fourth best solution (0.25 points); wrong solution (0 points). For statistical analysis, descriptive analysis was performed, as well as the Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney tests, with significance level set at p < 0.05. For statistical purposes, the SPSS 22.0 software was applied. Results. Significant differences were observed in declarative tactical knowledge between the U-11 and U-15 age groups. Players of the older age group displayed longer practice time and higher scores than their younger counterparts. Conclusions. Players with longer practice time (U-15) possess greater declarative tactical knowledge than those with less practice time (U-11), and declarative tactical knowledge is a factor that differentiates soccer players aged 11 and 15 years.

Dental Age Assessment of 8.5 to 17 Year-old Saudi Children Using Demirjian's Method

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suiaiman Al-Emran
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Dental Age ◽  
French Canadian ◽  
Age Assessment ◽  
Standard Values ◽  
Mandibular Teeth ◽  
Demirjian’S Method ◽  
Demirjian Method

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess the dental age in Saudi children aged 8.5 to 17 years using the Demirjian method. Methods and Materials Four hundred ninety panoramic radiographs of boys and girls were reviewed retrospectively. All children were placed in the age group closest to their chronological age. The dental age was scored on all seven left mandibular teeth by one examiner. Results Both boys and girls in age groups nine to 14 years showed advanced dental age compared to their chronological age which was found to be statistically significant except in age groups nine and 13 years. Saudi boys were 0.3 years and Saudi girls 0.4 years ahead, on average, of French-Canadian children as analyzed by the Demirjian method. Conclusion The standard values for French-Canadian children provided by Demirjian vary slightly for application to Saudi children. As a result, new graphs and tables were produced to convert these maturity scores, calculated by the Demirjian method, to the dental age for Saudi children. Citation Al-Emran S. Dental Age Assessment of 8.5 to 17 Year-old Saudi Children Using Demirjian's Method. J Contemp Dent Pract 2008 March; (9)3:064-071.

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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