BOZDĚCH, Michal, Adrián AGRICOLA and Jiří ZHÁNĚL. The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis. PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS. UNITED STATES: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2023, vol. 130, No 6, p. 2632-2662. ISSN 0031-5125. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00315125231210585.
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Basic information
Original name The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors BOZDĚCH, Michal (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Adrián AGRICOLA (703 Slovakia) and Jiří ZHÁNĚL (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
Edition PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS, UNITED STATES, SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2023, 0031-5125.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 30306 Sport and fitness sciences
Country of publisher United States of America
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
Impact factor Impact factor: 1.600 in 2022
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14510/23:00132076
Organization unit Faculty of Sports Studies
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00315125231210585
UT WoS 001090815800001
Keywords in English annual grouping; football; adolescence; youth development in sport; age disparity impact; performance-driven athlete selection
Tags rivok
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. Pavlína Roučová, DiS., učo 169540. Changed: 4/4/2024 16:11.
Abstract
In the selection of young athletes, earlier-born adolescents often leverage their temporary biological advantage over their later-born peers from the same cohort, giving rise to the phenomenon known as the Relative Age Effect (RAE). In this study, we delved into the complexities of the RAE in soccer by reviewing 563 independent research samples across 90 articles. Our analysis showed that age period and performance level are pivotal factors influencing the magnitude of the RAE. The adolescent age period emerged as a significant RAE determinant, showcasing the highest effect size magnitudes in our findings. Among athletes of different performance levels, adult European soccer players have been extensively studied, and they have exhibited the most pronounced RAE magnitudes. Intriguingly, our findings reveal another compelling trend: the frequency of players born early versus late in the eligible birth year escalated as player performance levels increased, particularly during adolescence. Coaches and players appear to capitalize unconsciously on this maturational advantage, though this strategy wanes post-adolescence. While there are currently no penalties for this team selection practice, our findings stress the need for coaches to comprehend the ramifications of selecting athletes with an age bias We offer insights into RAE complexities, highlight the synergy of age and performance in these transitory advantages, and advance arguments for more fairly selecting and developing youth athletes.
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