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 < .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.

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

scholarly journals Not Going Pro: On Seeking Lasting Returns from College Sports

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Horner ◽  
Neal Ternes ◽  
Christopher McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Collegiate Athletics ◽  
Division I ◽  
Personal Investment

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) clearly states there are many favorable qualities derived from participation that benefit those “who go pro in something other than sports.” However, the ability of collegiate athletics to deliver on the promise of attributable long-term vocational value is rarely questioned. Instead, student-athletes are encouraged to think of their participation as a personal investment with enduring rewards for the investor. In this study involving former NCAA Division I student-athletes, the authors examined whether participation can be regarded as an investment and how student-athletes perceive the returns thus derived. Extending Becker’s (1962) theory of human capital investment to sport participation, the authors probed participants’ experiences for evidence of investment thinking and lasting benefits in corporeal, economic, social, and cultural varieties. The findings support the notion that participation in collegiate athletics can be broadly defined as an investment, but not in accordance with the long-term utility maximizing rationale described by neoclassical economists. Furthermore, the high cost of participation, inherent uncertainty, and unreliable information confound the athlete’s decision-making and blur the distinction between consumption in the present and investing for the future.

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 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 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 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 ¿Por qué jugar? Sport socialization among Hispanic/Latina female NCAA division I student-athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Darvin ◽  
Alicia Cintron ◽  
Meg Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Intercollegiate Athletics ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Elite Group ◽  
Athletic Success ◽  
Potential Factors

Representation of Hispanics/Latinas in intercollegiate athletics is lacking. During the 2014-2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic season, only 2.2 percent of all female Division I student-athlete’s identified as Hispanic or Latina (NCAA, 2015). This low percentage of Hispanic/Latina female participants calls into question how these young women become involved in athletics and sustain their involvement within sport. While previous research has examined the socialization processes of youth athletes and parents of youth athlete participants, there is little research aimed at examining these processes for elite-level athlete participants (Dorsch, Smith, & McDonough, 2015; Greendorfer, Blinde, & Pellegrini, 1986;). Thus, the aim of this current study was to examine the potential factors that may have contributed to consistent sport participation for an elite group of Hispanic/Latina female athletes throughout their youth and collegiate careers. Participants for this study identified as current NCAA Division I Hispanic/Latina female student-athletes. Results showed that family, specifically parents and siblings, contributed to socializing Hispanic/Latina athletes into sport, while family and coaches contributed to the persistence of their athletic endeavors. Findings also show a sense of cultural indifference, youth coaches who invested in the participants long-term, and a significant involvement of the patriarch of the family in their athletic success.

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 The relative age effect in German 11- to 18-year-old male and female swimmers

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-462
Author(s):  
Ilka Staub ◽  
Robert K. Stallman ◽  
Tobias Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Birth Month ◽  
Older Athletes ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Coaching Training ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Relatively older athletes have a greater probability of being selected and subsequently exposed to a higher level of coaching, training and other talent-promoting factors. Grouping by chronological age is, therefore, considered to be one of the weaknesses in talent identification. A large number of studies have confirmed the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) across various sports, including swimming. This investigation aims to quantify the prevalence, magnitude and transient pattern of the RAE according to sex and events across German swimmers. The RAE was examined top-100 ranked swimmers (2004–2013) according to birth month, of three cohorts (born 1993–1995; n = 3630) for the age groups 11–18. The Χ2 tests and Cramer’s V estimated effect sizes; odd’s ratios and confidence intervals calculated relative discrepancies between the quartiles. The RAE is significantly present over all events for female swimmers until 13–15 and for males until 16–18 years of age. Effect sizes were moderate until 12/13 years of age for females and 14/15 years of age for males. No inverted effects were visible. Compared to previous reports on Australian as well as Portuguese cohorts, the RAE was prevalent over a longer time period. Therefore, the impact of negative outcomes from RAE appears to be greater among German age group swimmers.

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