Inevitable Relative Age Effects in Different Stages of the Selection Process among Male and Female Youth Soccer Players

Pål Lagestad,Terje Dalen,Ingebrigt Steen

doi:10.3390/sports6020029

Abstract

The relative age effect (RAE) in the selection of young soccer players is a well-known phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative age effect existing despite strategies that have been implemented to avoid its presence in the selection process. We also aimed to investigate the RAE during the three different selection stages for B13, B14 (boys), and G13, G14 (girls), and gender differences in the RAE. This was achieved by collecting data from everyone who played soccer in Troendelag, and data that would illuminate the RAE during the three stages of selection for the regional teams of the 2015/2016 season. Mann–Whitney U-tests and Chi-square tests were used as statistical methods. The main finding of this study is that, despite the intention to reduce RAE in the selection process according to the criterion that at least 40% of the players should be born in the second half of the year, both the early-born boys and girls are more likely to be selected. The results also show that the RAE occurs gradually, and the longer the players are in the selection process the more prominent it is. This study highlights the importance of being aware of the RAE when selecting young players.

Highlights

In Norway, as in many other countries, children and adolescents in sports are grouped based on year of birth
The main finding of the present study was that, despite the intention to reduce relative age difference (RAE) in the selection process, i.e., through setting the criterion that at least 40% of the players should be born in the second half of the year, boys and girls born in the first half of the year are more likely to be selected
Another main finding is that no significant gender differences in terms of RAE exist in any of the selection stages

Summary

Introduction

In Norway, as in many other countries, children and adolescents in sports are grouped based on year of birth. A range of one year will exist between people who compete in the same age group in sports, such as soccer. Within the same age group, this factor will contribute to individual differences in the rate of development and maturation of physical, technical and mental abilities, in addition with genetic factors, experience, gender, etc. The RAE can contribute to advantages and disadvantages for individual achievement in sports [3,4]. As the children grow, studies have reported that the RAE, as such, will disappear along with growth spurts and the maturation process [1,2]

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Conclusion