scholarly journals How Relative Age Effects Associate with Football Players’ Market Values: Indicators of Losing Talent and Wasting Money

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Michael Romann ◽  
Marie Javet ◽  
Stephen Cobley ◽  
Dennis-Peter Born
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Talent Selection ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Age Category

Background: In football, annual age-group categorization leads to relative age effects (RAEs) in talent development. Given such trends, relative age may also associate with market values. This study analyzed the relationship between RAEs and market values of youth players. Methods: Age category, birthdate, and market values of 11,738 youth male football players were obtained from the “transfermarkt.de” database, which delivers a good proxy for real market values. RAEs were calculated using odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Significant RAEs were found across all age-groups (p < 0.05). The largest RAEs occurred in U18 players (Q1 [relatively older] v Q4 [relatively younger] OR = 3.1) ORs decreased with age category, i.e., U19 (2.7), U20 (2.6), U21 (2.4), U22 (2.2), and U23 (1.8). At U19s, Q1 players were associated with significantly higher market values than Q4 players. However, by U21, U22, and U23 RAEs were inversed, with correspondingly higher market values for Q4 players apparent. While large typical RAEs for all playing positions was observed in younger age categories (U18–U20), inversed RAEs were only evident for defenders (small-medium) and for strikers (medium-large) in U21–U23 (not goalkeepers and midfielders). Conclusions: Assuming an equal distribution of football talent exists across annual cohorts, results indicate the selection and market value of young professional players is dynamic. Findings suggest a potential biased selection, and undervaluing of Q4 players in younger age groups, as their representation and market value increased over time. By contrast, the changing representations and market values of Q1 players suggest initial overvaluing in performance and monetary terms. Therefore, this inefficient talent selection and the accompanying waste of money should be improved.

scholarly journals Origins of Relative Age Effects in Youth Football—A Nationwide Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Romann ◽  
Eva Rüeger ◽  
Mirjam Hintermann ◽  
Raphael Kern ◽  
Oliver Faude
Keyword(s):  
Sport Participation ◽  
Waiting Lists ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Youth Football ◽  
Grassroots Level ◽  
Age Range ◽  
First Time ◽  
Age Category

Introduction: Relative age effects (RAEs) refer to the overrepresentation of players born earlier in the selection year compared to late-born players within the same age category. To date, the origins and mechanisms of RAEs are still unclear. To evaluate the development of RAEs in terms of age group and selection level, we analyzed data of all registered child and adolescent football players in Switzerland.Methods: Age category, selection level, and birthdate from all licensed 101,991 Swiss child and youth football players assigned to a specific team [9,149 girls (9.0%) and 92,842 boys (91.0%); age range: 4.6–19.6 years] were analyzed. Additionally, out of 1,128 clubs, 54 clubs provided their documented waiting lists (1,224 players). Birthdate distributions were split by age category, sex, and birth quarter (Q1 = January to March, Q4 = October to December). RAEs were calculated using odds ratios (Q1 vs. Q4) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: We found small RAEs among U8 players (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.31, 1.59]) and U10 (OR 1.24 [95% CI 1.16, 1.32]). The RAE was negligible in all other age categories, independent of gender. In children's football, 5,584 (71.3%) teams performed selections. In teams without selection, there were no obvious RAEs. However, teams with selections for the same age category showed small RAEs with an overrepresentation of Q1 athletes in the first team (OR = 1.29 [95% CI 1.24, 1.35]) and inverse RAEs with an underrepresentation of Q1 athletes in the last team (OR = 0.85 [95% CI 0.82, 0.89]). Only small RAEs were observed on the waiting lists for the U8 (OR = 1.48 [1.13, 1.95]).Discussion and Conclusion: RAEs have a small, but consistent effect on participation in Swiss children's football at the grassroots level. Contrary to expectations, no inverse RAEs were found on the waiting lists. Nonetheless, first time coach selections seem to be the origin of RAEs. To protect young athletes from discrimination, RAE biases should be analyzed and eliminated at all stages of sport participation, selection, and dropout situations. Modifications to the organizational structure of sport and athlete development systems are recommended to prevent RAE-related discrimination in youth sports.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical performance characteristics of players within an Elite Youth Football Academy

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 714-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickesh Patel ◽  
Alan Nevill ◽  
Ross Cloak ◽  
Tina Smith ◽  
Matthew Wyon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Multilevel Modelling ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Youth Football ◽  
Physical Performances ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Level 1

A professional English football club with Category 1 academy status was investigated to determine the magnitude of relative age effects (RAE) within the club and explore between-quartile differences for somatic maturity, anthropometry and physical performances. Birth dates of 426 players from Under 9 to First Team were categorised into four birth quartiles (Q) and examined for relative age effects. Additionally, data on 382 players (Under 11 to First Team) were obtained for somatic maturity, anthropometry, countermovement jump, sprint (10 and 30 m), agility T-test and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 or 2 performance to determine between-quartile differences. Odds ratios revealed Q1 players were 6.0 times more likely to be represented than Q4 players. Multilevel modelling demonstrated between birth quartile similarities for each variable across all age groups, though there was a tendency for Q4 players to outperform Q1 players between Under 11 and Under 18 groups. Strong relative age effects exist within this club as well as a tendency to select players demonstrating advanced growth and/or maturity, with some indication that higher categorised academies in England may be at risk of amplified selection biases. Talent identification strategies in elite youth football should actively seek to adopt novel approaches to reduce selection biases and avoid wasted potential.

scholarly journals Characteristics of frequent presenters: An analysis of 1 year of data from an Irish Emergency Department

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A Walker ◽  
Niamh Cummings ◽  
Niamh Collins
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Free Health Care ◽  
Age Category

Introduction: Frequent presenters (FPs) to the Emergency Department (ED) have been studied heavily in international literature. Many studies suggest that maintaining services for this cohort of patients is wasteful and detracts from the needs of nonfrequent presenters. In this study we aim to describe the characteristics of FPs to the ED. We review data pertaining to frequent ED use, demographics of FPs, their preferred methods of arrival to the ED and their social living arrangements. FP's tend to rely heavily on other services as well as the ED and primary care. Methods: A systematic retrospective review of FPs attendance was performed. Results: FPs accounted for 3.9% (n=1231) of total ED attendance. The age of the FP population ranged from 19- 94 (Median = 45.5, SD 18.422). Increased ED attendance was positively associated with younger age groups. The age category accounting for the highest ED attendance was those aged between 19-35 years. From the 152 (100%) FPs, 50.7% (n=77) were males and 49.3% (n=75) were female. When the living arrangements of FPs were examined, 40.1% (n=61) lived with family, 37.5% (n=57) lived alone, 12.5% (n=19) resided in residential care while data on 9.9% (n=15) FPs was unknown. A Chi-squared analysis was computed to determine if age showed any significant correlation with living arrangements. The findings were not significant as X2 =2.148 (df3, p=0.542). Conclusions: FP's are positively associated with being young and often present with true medical needs. Many believe that frequent presentation is positively associated with free health care and living alone this is not the case. FP's are more likely to live with family and up to 17% of FP attendances have been as a result of primary care referral. FPs also present frequently to the ambulance service with almost 50% utilising the service for transport to the ED.

scholarly journals Razlike u zdravstvenim pokazateljima kod nogometaša mlađih i starijih od 30 godina / Differences in health indicators in football players younger and older than 30 years

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonći Grgurinović ◽  
Joško Sindik
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Health Prevention ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Two Age Groups

Numerous studies show that wide range of anthropological characteristics and health indicators significantly affects the success in football. Therefore, constant monitoring of these indicators provides to the coaches the information useful for the planning of the training process, adjusted to concrete athletes. This study explores selected morphological, physiological characteristics and health (MPH) indicators of adult football players of various levels of sporting excellence. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in MPH indicators, as well as their correlation, stratified according to the age group of the athletes. The different profiles of players were identified, in relation to selected MPH indicators. A sample of 813 male players is examined, 362 in the age group 17-30 years (M±SD 21.48±3.51) and 451 aged over 30 years (43.84±9.17), from Zagreb football clubs, included in medical examination at the Clinic for Occupational Health and Sport. Several differences in MPH are found between two age groups, mainly in direction more desirable features in younger age group. The results provide important information for planning training, but also for health prevention measures.

scholarly journals Injuries in Portuguese Amateur Youth Football Players: A Six Month Prospective Descriptive Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Nogueira ◽  
Rita Laiginhas ◽  
José Ramos ◽  
Ovídio Costa
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Youth Football ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Body Location ◽  
Group A ◽  
Observational Descriptive Study

Introduction: This study analyzed the incidence and characteristics of injuries sustained by amateur youth football players in Portugal during season 2015 - 2016.Material and Methods: This is an observational descriptive study. We analyzed Portuguese youth football players’ injuries over six months of a season. A total of 529 players were divided according to their age in two groups (Under-17 and Under-19). Data on injuries were collected.Results: Throughout all 62 062.0 hours of exposure recorded, 248 injuries were reported in 173 different players. The average incidence of injury was 3.87 (95% CI = 2.81; 4.94) per 1000 hours of football exposure. There was a significantly higher average incidence of injury during matches – 14.22 (95% CI = 10.35; 18.09) per 1000 hours of exposure – when compared to the average incidence of injury during training – 2.06 (95% CI = 1.22; 2.90) per 1000 hours of exposure. This significance was also observed when the comparison was made within each age group. A traumatic mechanism was involved in 76.6% of all the injuries, while overuse was reported in 12.9%. The most common type was the injury that affected muscles and tendons (52.8%). The body location most commonly affected by injuries was the thigh (24.6%).Discussion: Even though is essential a better characterization of Portuguese athletes of younger age groups such as those discussed in this study, the results of the studied population are in agreement with the existing literature. However, this study provides more information that may be important to better target the Portuguese athletes’ training for injury prevention.Conclusion: This study provides descriptive data on injuries developed in a subpopulation of Portuguese amateur youth football players that could represent a focus for future prevention.

scholarly journals Relative Age Effect in the Girls’ Volleyball U18 World Championship

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-202
Author(s):  
Fábio A. D. Campos ◽  
Ídico L. Pellegrinotti ◽  
Leandra C. B. Campos ◽  
Tiago M. R. Dias ◽  
Miguel-Ángel Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
World Championship ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
The World ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Age Category

AbstractThe relative age effect (RAE), within the sporting scope, refers to the possible advantages of participation and performance of athletes born in the first months of the year of selection in relation to others within the same age category. The aim of the present study was to investigate the RAE in girls’ volleyball players participating in the U-18 World Championship, analysing the differences between the medal teams and other teams in the tournament, and considering this phenomenon in relation to the continents. Data collection was obtained from the website of the International Volleyball Federation with a sample made of 1654 youth players in the last six world championships (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017). A greater representation of athletes born in the first months of the year of all the world championships was observed. In the comparison among the continents, it was observed that in Africa, there was a more equal distribution of quartiles compared to America, Asia and Europe. It should be noted that there was a higher percentage of medalist athletes born at the beginning of the year in comparison to the countries that placed in the last three positions of the championship. Therefore, in U-18 female volleyball, there is an advantage to have the closest birth age at the beginning of the competitive biennium.

scholarly journals Characteristics of frequent presenters: An analysis of 1 year of data from an Irish Emergency Department

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A Walker ◽  
Niamh Cummins ◽  
Niamh Collins
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Free Health Care ◽  
Age Category

Introduction: Frequent presenters (FPs) to the Emergency Department (ED) have been studied heavily in international literature. Many studies suggest that maintaining services for this cohort of patients is wasteful and detracts from the needs of nonfrequent presenters. In this study we aim to describe the characteristics of FPs to the ED. We review data pertaining to frequent ED use, demographics of FPs, their preferred methods of arrival to the ED and their social living arrangements. FP's tend to rely heavily on other services as well as the ED and primary care. Methods: A systematic retrospective review of FPs attendance was performed. Results: FPs accounted for 3.9% (n=1231) of total ED attendance. The age of the FP population ranged from 19- 94 (Median = 45.5, SD 18.422). Increased ED attendance was positively associated with younger age groups. The age category accounting for the highest ED attendance was those aged between 19-35 years. From the 152 (100%) FPs, 50.7% (n=77) were males and 49.3% (n=75) were female. When the living arrangements of FPs were examined, 40.1% (n=61) lived with family, 37.5% (n=57) lived alone, 12.5% (n=19) resided in residential care while data on 9.9% (n=15) FPs was unknown. A Chi-squared analysis was computed to determine if age showed any significant correlation with living arrangements. The findings were not significant as X2 =2.148 (df3, p=0.542). Conclusions: FP's are positively associated with being young and often present with true medical needs. Many believe that frequent presentation is positively associated with free health care and living alone this is not the case. FP's are more likely to live with family and up to 17% of FP attendances have been as a result of primary care referral. FPs also present frequently to the ambulance service with almost 50% utilising the service for transport to the ED.

scholarly journals Talent Selection Based on Sport-Specific Tasks Is Affected by the Relative Age Effects among Adolescent Handball Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11418
Author(s):  
Zsófia Tróznai ◽  
Katinka Utczás ◽  
Júlia Pápai ◽  
Zalán Négele ◽  
István Juhász ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Body ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Talent Selection

Talent selection is often affected by the relative age effects (RAEs), resulting in the overrepresentation of relatively older (vs. relatively younger) players among those selected. The use of sport-specific tasks is suggested to reduce RAEs during talent selection. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that talent selection including only sport-specific tasks is not affected by the RAEs and to analyse the body size and biological maturity of the top selection level according to relative age. Methods: Participants were U14 female (n = 5428) and U15 (n = 4408) male handball players participating in four programs consisting of four selection levels (local, county, regional, and national) grouped in bi-annual age. Handball-specific generic skills, position-specific technical drills and in-game performance were the selection criteria evaluated by experts and coaches. Body dimensions were measured and bone age, as an indicator of maturity, was estimated. The relative age quartile distributions within the bi-annual cohorts were examined using Chi-square and Odds Ratios. Results: In terms of all the registered players no RAEs were evident. However, the RAEs of moderate effect size were evident at the county level; χ2 = 53.2 (girls) and 66.4 (boys), OR = 2.5 and 3.3, respectively. The RAEs of a large effect size were found at the regional level; χ2 = 139.5 (girls) and 144.9 (boys), OR = 8.2 and 5.2, respectively. At national level, RAEs were still present, but with no further increase in the effect size. At the highest selection level, there were no differences in the anthropometric measures between the relatively older and younger players. Conclusion: The findings provide support to the hypothesis that the selection process exacerbates RAEs even when using only sport-specific selection criteria. The performance metrics in technical skills, but also coaching assessments are likely involved. In addition, an advanced maturity and/or an above-average body size increases the selection odds for relatively younger players.

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