BackgroundContemporary research has shown that only a small proportion of high achieving young athletes continue to become successful senior athletes. However, there is a lack of empirical literature tracking the success of senior male and female athletes who were considered high achieving as a youth.HypothesisAthletes of both sexes who are successful in youth categories (U18 and U20) are more likely to be successful senior athletes.ConclusionData from 67,600 athletes were collated from the tilastopaja.org platform. The inclusion criteria for both genders were determined by top-100 ranking in the U18 and U20 age groups and progression to the top-100 as a senior athlete. Only 23.5% of successful track and field athletes (ranked in top-100) at U18 became a successful senior athlete, while 35.4% were from the U20 group. Girls ranked in the top-100 U18 and U20 categories are significantly more likely to be ranked in the top-100 as a senior when compared to boys. Although, being ranked in the top-50 at U18 and U20 significantly increases the probability of becoming a successful senior athlete when compared with less successful athletes at these age groups (p < 0.001). Notably, the majority (68.5%) of the most successful senior athletes were not ranked in the top-100 when in the U18 or U20 age groups. Only a small group of track and field athletes that are successful at U18 and U20 become successful at senior level. The most successful track and field youth athletes are significantly more likely to succeed as a senior athlete than their less successful peers, while girls are more likely to be successful than boys.
(1) The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) in the best young (10 to 15 years old) track and field athletes. (2) Hypothesis: The prevalence of the RAE in the best young track and field athletes of both genders will be evident in all age groups from 10 to 15 years old, which may be associated with the significant relationship between biological maturity, chronological age, and the development of physical qualities. (3) Materials and methods: In total, 1778 athletes volunteered for this study. The sample was based on the results of the best young athletes who participated in the final tournaments of the national competition “Shipovka Yunykh”(“Running spikes for young athletes”), which have been held since 1981. The sample group consisted of male and female athletes classified into specific age groups: 10 to 11 years old (n = 579), 12 to 13 years old (n = 600), and 14 to 15 years old (n = 599). Analysis was performed using Jamovi 1.8.1. The Chi-square test was used to compare the RAE between different groups. (4) Results: A wide distribution of the RAE was revealed both in the general sample and in boys and girls. The percentage of “early-born” athletes was 37.6% while only 12.3% were “late-born” athletes. The difference in the severity of the RAE may reflect the small sample of athletes from the fourth quartile, which was significantly less than the sample of boys from the fourth quartile (p = 0.04, OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02–2.78). The RAE was also evident in all age groups of boys and girls, without any statistically significant differences in the severity (p > 0.05, Chi = 2.135, V = 0.02). In the 14- to 15-year-old male athletes group, the number of early-born compared to late-born athletes peaked. The RAE was most common amongst the most successful track and field athletes. Among the competition medalists during the analyzed time period, more than 50% of athletes were born in the first quarter and no athletes were born in the fourth quarter.
Background The relative age effect (RAE) is most prevalent in highly competitive youth soccer and persists to a lesser extent in senior soccer. However, it is known that soccer players born in the second half of the year are as successful at senior level, indicating that they are equally talented although under-represented at youth level due to bias during the selection process, in which the emphasis is on more pronounced physical qualities in a specific period of time. Examining the prevalence of the RAE among professional soccer players depending on the level of competition and playing position, as well as analyzing the relationship between the player’s birth quarter and market value, are of scientific interest. Methods The dates of birth, playing position, and market value of all adult male soccer players included in the final rosters of teams from the top-division of 54 European countries, listed on www.transfermarkt.com on August 15th, 2020, were analyzed (18,429 soccer players in total). All players were categorized into four groups according to the quarter of birth (Q) and playing position. All teams were further sub-divided in groups depending on the soccer clubs’ level of representation in the UEFA Champions League. Results Of 18,429 players, 30.9% were born in Q1, 25.7% in Q2, 23.8% in Q3 and 19.6% in Q4. The number of soccer players born in Q1 was lower in less competitive leagues. The number of players born in Q1 decreased as the level of competition decreased; the highest percentage of these players was observed in clubs that are among the top 50 ranked in UEFA or compete in the most prestigious European championships. The RAE was less pronounced in teams that participate in lower competitive championships. There was no significant difference in market value between players playing position and level of competition when born in different quarters. Although, the most expensive soccer players in the European championships were late-born forwards. Players of various groups differed in their market value. Conclusions The RAE is currently prevalent in all the most competitive senior soccer leagues and teams in Europe regardless of playing position. There are no significant differences in market value between players of the same playing position and level of competition when born in different quarters. The most expensive soccer players in the European championships are forwards born in Q4. These findings may indicate that the under-representation of “late-born” soccer players in youth, and then consequently in adult soccer, is not associated with lower talent, but with other factors, possibly based on physiological characteristics and socio-cultural factors. Further measures are needed to mitigate the discriminatory effects of selection bias based on the RAE.
Background Currently there are no data examining the relationship between the serum concentration of vitamin D bio-chemical marker 25(OH)D and strength and speed characteristics in elite young track and field athletes. Moreover, there are currently no data examining the correlation of vitamin D status with testosterone concentration in elite young track and field athletes. In studies involving members of the general population and athletes from other sports, conflicting data have been reported. Material and methods Athletes (n = 68) from both genders took part in this study. Male athletes (n = 23) with mean ± SD age of 18.2 ± 1.9 years and female athletes (n = 45) with mean ± SD age of 17.3 ± 2.6 years participated. All athletes were ranked in the Top-3 in their respective age group and their corresponding results were listed in the Top-20 European records according to https://www.tilastopaja.eu/ in 2021. Results The average 25(OH)D concentration was 36.5 ± 10.8 ng/mL and 37.8 ± 14.5 ng/mL in male and female athletes respectively. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency (below 20 ng/ml) in both genders was only 5.8%. In the whole group, only 27.9% of athletes had 25(OH)D concentrations between 20 and 30 ng/ml, while 66.2% of athletes had concentrations above 30 ng/ml. There was no difference in vitamin D status between male and female athletes. There was no statistically significant Kruskal-Wallace test correlation between 25(OH)D concentration and performance in the 20 m and 30 m sprint, counter-movement jump and broad jump. There was no correlation between serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and total testosterone in either male or female athletes. Conclusion In elite young track and field athletes who permanently live and train in an area above 50° north latitude, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the summer months was much lower than in previously published studies examining an athletic population, that may be related to the training process. In this specific group of athletes, no correlation was found between serum 25 (OH) D concentration and strength and speed characteristics or total testosterone concentration.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single intake of citrulline at 3 g and 6 g doses in adult elite soccer players performing sport-specific exercise. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study analyzed 18 soccer players from the top divisions of three European countries. Participants were randomized into three groups of six each and performed a field-based soccer-specific test for 18 min. Comparative analysis of heart rate, fatigue and post-exercise recovery was conducted. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in most of the analyzed parameters, nor at any of the time points for lactate concentration. Players’ RPE exercise test score did not reveal any differences . Conclusions: Neither a single intake of 3 g nor of 6 g of citrulline malate affected physical performance, subjective feelings of fatigue or post-exercise recovery in adult elite soccer players who performed a soccer-specific test.
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