The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A
Meta-Analysis

J 2023

The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis

BOZDĚCH, Michal, Adrián AGRICOLA and Jiří ZHÁNĚL

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

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

30306 Sport and fitness sciences

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

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

Abstract

V originále

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.

Citovat

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.

@article{2332357,
   author = {Bozděch, Michal and Agricola, Adrián and Zháněl, Jiří},
   article_location = {UNITED STATES},
   article_number = {6},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00315125231210585},
   keywords = {annual grouping; football; adolescence; youth development in sport; age disparity impact; performance-driven athlete selection},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0031-5125},
   journal = {PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS},
   title = {The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis},
   url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00315125231210585},
   volume = {130},
   year = {2023}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2332357
AU  - Bozděch, Michal - Agricola, Adrián - Zháněl, Jiří
PY  - 2023
TI  - The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis
JF  - PERCEPTUAL AND MOTOR SKILLS
VL  - 130
IS  - 6
SP  - 2632-2662
EP  - 2632-2662
PB  - SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
SN  - 00315125
KW  - annual grouping
KW  - football
KW  - adolescence
KW  - youth development in sport
KW  - age disparity impact
KW  - performance-driven athlete selection
UR  - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00315125231210585
N2  - 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.
ER  -

BOZDĚCH, Michal, Adrián AGRICOLA and Jiří ZHÁNĚL. The Relative Age Effect at Different Age Periods in Soccer: A Meta-Analysis. \textit{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.

Detailed Information on Publication Record