Participation-related relative age effects in Masters swimming: A 6-year retrospective longitudinal analysis

Abstract

Medic and colleagues (Medic, Starkes, & Young, 2007) found that relatively younger cohorts of Masters athletes had higher participation rates and achieved higher performances compared with a relatively older cohort. Considering that Medic and colleagues' (2007) study was cross-sectional in nature, the purpose of this investigation was to employ a retrospective longitudinal study design to examine the participation rates of Masters swimmers as a function of an individual's constituent year within any 5-year age category over a period of 6 years. Using archived data from the 2003 to 2009 US Masters Short Course National Championships, swimmers' attendance was followed for a period of six consecutive years. Results indicated that a participation-related relative age effect was observed among swimmers who, over a period of 6 years, competed in either at least one championship (N = 2596; Cochran's Q₄ = 64.16, r(s) = -0.92, both P < 0.0001) or at least three championships (N = 441; Cochran's Q₄ = 47.51, r(s) = -0.91, both P < 0.0001). Overall, effect size analyses indicated that the odds of a Masters swimmer participating in the championship during the first constituent year of any 5-year age category was more than two times greater than the odds of that athlete participating during the fifth constituent year.

The relative age effect among elite youth competitive swimmers

“…RAE seems evident even among master swimmers (Medic et al, 2007). Indeed, the odds of a master swimmer participating in the championship during the first constituent year of any 5-year-old category seem more than two times greater than the odds of that athlete participating during the fifth constituent year (Medic et al, 2011). According to some authors (Barnsley et al, 1985) the most successful athletes tend to continue longer in practice because they are well rewarded for their efforts and may thus be encouraged to continue.…”

Research on Relative Age in Hungarian Swimming

“…The qualifying times are determined according to their ages, too. The Hungarian system is similar to those systems in which children can compare their developments with the progress of other swimmers in their age group (Medic et al, 2011).…”

“…Their findings support the statement that athletes who are younger in their age group have an advantage to perform better, not only in their youth, but in later periods of life as well. A gender study of a population of master athletes (Medic et al, 2011) stated that although relative age is a more important determining factor for senior female swimmers, it should be taken into consideration at competitions with both genders in order to guarantee equal conditions. In a longitudinal study dealing with senior swimmers, it was discovered that their participation in competitions was twice as frequent in the first five years following their retirement than in the later periods of their disengagement from elite sports, and the relatively older swimmers attained better results (Medic et al, 2011).…”

A nutrition and conditioning intervention for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: case study

“…Carbohydrate intake underwent the greatest manipulation over the 14-week period to accommodate the target energy intake (Figure 1 ). Reducing carbohydrate intake has been suggested as a viable strategy to allow protein intake to remain high in the face of an energy deficit [ 31 ]. Fluid suggestions were water, sugar-free cordial and flavored tea that were to be consumed ad libitum throughout the day.…”