Abstract
This systematic review aimed to examine the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) in swimming and its impact on competition performance according to different types of interacting constraints. A systematic literature search, following the PRISMA guidelines for preparing systematic reviews, was performed through four electronic databases, and nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using STROBE, and an average score of 16.2 points was obtained. In these studies, the prevalence of the RAE in swimming was observed in more than half (58.65%) of the participants analysed, and the effect of the RAE was more accentuated in young categories (decreased as age increased and was inverted in older ones) and in male swimmers (double that in female swimmers).The impact of the RAE on competitive performance appeared to be related to the strength demands of the event, as the performance in simultaneous strokes, in shorter events, and of swimmers in the postadolescence period seems to be more affected by the RAE. These results indicate that the RAE in competitive swimming relies on individual and environmental (the swimmer’s age group and gender) but also task (the competitive events) determinants or limitations. This should serve as a guide for a more effective design of selection and development procedures for young athletes.
Highlights
In the sports field, relative age can be defined as the chronological age difference that occurs between athletes of the same age group [1]
According to the competition category and the event, the relative age effect (RAE) had an impact on the competition performance in the 100 m butterfly event in female infantile swimmers (U-12) and in the 200 m breaststroke event in female junior swimmers (U-15)
Differences in chronological age distribution between competitive swimmers from the same age group were observed in 58.65% of the cases analysed, with increased participation in championships for those born in the first quarter
Summary
Relative age can be defined as the chronological age difference that occurs between athletes of the same age group [1]. The RAE stipulates that those born later in the year, taking into account the cut-off date of the group (usually 1 January in swimming competitions), have a disadvantage due to later biological development [3]. This phenomenon has been generally studied in young athletes, determining a greater prevalence of the RAE in early development ages [4], as well as the possible involvement it may have in the remaining areas of their lives: education, personal relationships, and so forth [5,6].
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