Relative age effects in international age group championships: A study of Spanish track and field athletes

Abstract

The relative age effect is a well-researched phenomenon, however there is still a dearth of understanding in track and field and female sport. This study investigated the role of relative age on selection for international competition of Spanish age group athletes between 2006–2014. Six hundred and forty two athletes competed for Spain at U20 or U18 age group international competition (n = 359 males; 283 females) across 9 years. The birthdates of these athletes were compared against the population of registered athletes at that time (14,502 males; 10,096 females). The results highlighted the influential role of relative age on selection to these opportunities. In line with previous research, this effect was mediated by age and gender, with stronger effects for both males and younger athletes (U18). The data best supported the ‘maturation-selection’ hypothesis as a mechanism for RAEs. These results highlight the need to carefully consider the role and need for international competitive opportunities at different age groups. A number of possible context relevant solutions are discussed, including correction adjustments techniques and competition structure within track and field.

The relationship between the relative age effect and performance among athletes in World Handball Championships

“…Nonuniform birth date distributions were observed for male players in the Championships of 2015 and 2017. The observed tendency of a decrease in the RAE at the senior level mirrors similar findings from other studies of team sports [32] and individual disciplines [33,34]. This suggests that the advantages athletes gain due to their early maturational development gradually decrease as they transition towards professional sport [2,35].…”

Skeletal maturation and growth rates are related to bone and growth plate injuries in adolescent athletics

“…This could reflect maturity-associated performance benefits in early maturing individuals, which has been considered especially important in athletics during early and mid-adolescence in events based on speed, power, and size. 34 Selection bias among coaches favoring individuals of larger size 35 and the use of broader age group bands in athletics championships (eg U14, U16, and U18) 36 may have further amplified these differences, explaining the skewed distribution. More advanced maturity status, expressed as greater skeletal age and a higher attained percentage of predicted mature height, was associated with a lower rate of growth plate injuries with no differences in overall or bone injuries.…”

Relative age effects in Japanese athletes: A 25-year historical analysis

“…RAEs have been confirmed in many sports, including soccer [1,2], baseball [3,4], basketball [5,6], handball [7], swimming [8,9], track and field [10,11], sumo wrestling [11], rugby [12], and alpine ski racing [13,14]. The attributes of greater height, mass, aerobic power, muscular strength, endurance, and speed provide performance advantages in most sports, giving relatively older children advantages in sporting ability, psychological confidence, instruction, and playing time [15] In addition to physiological and psychological factors, the competition principle has also been considered as an important factor affecting RAEs.…”