Abstract
Talent selection is often affected by the relative age effects (RAEs), resulting in the overrepresentation of relatively older (vs. relatively younger) players among those selected. The use of sport-specific tasks is suggested to reduce RAEs during talent selection. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that talent selection including only sport-specific tasks is not affected by the RAEs and to analyse the body size and biological maturity of the top selection level according to relative age. Methods: Participants were U14 female (n = 5428) and U15 (n = 4408) male handball players participating in four programs consisting of four selection levels (local, county, regional, and national) grouped in bi-annual age. Handball-specific generic skills, position-specific technical drills and in-game performance were the selection criteria evaluated by experts and coaches. Body dimensions were measured and bone age, as an indicator of maturity, was estimated. The relative age quartile distributions within the bi-annual cohorts were examined using Chi-square and Odds Ratios. Results: In terms of all the registered players no RAEs were evident. However, the RAEs of moderate effect size were evident at the county level; χ2 = 53.2 (girls) and 66.4 (boys), OR = 2.5 and 3.3, respectively. The RAEs of a large effect size were found at the regional level; χ2 = 139.5 (girls) and 144.9 (boys), OR = 8.2 and 5.2, respectively. At national level, RAEs were still present, but with no further increase in the effect size. At the highest selection level, there were no differences in the anthropometric measures between the relatively older and younger players. Conclusion: The findings provide support to the hypothesis that the selection process exacerbates RAEs even when using only sport-specific selection criteria. The performance metrics in technical skills, but also coaching assessments are likely involved. In addition, an advanced maturity and/or an above-average body size increases the selection odds for relatively younger players.
Highlights
Relative age effects (RAEs) are a well-known but relevant factor in youth sport [1,2,3].During the developmental years, RAEs are described as an indirect factor [4], which may affect training and competition opportunities and potentially the athletes’ long-term careers [5]
Multi-level talent selection process, organised for one single age group of adolescent male and female handball players, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that talent selection, including only sport-specific tasks, is not affected by the relative age effects
The findings confirm the connection of talent identification for adolescent female and male handball players with the RAEs
Summary
Relative age effects (RAEs) are a well-known but relevant factor in youth sport [1,2,3]. RAEs are described as an indirect factor [4], which may affect training and competition opportunities and potentially the athletes’ long-term careers [5]. According to RAEs, athletes born early in a selection period (e.g., a calendar year) tend to be overrepresented in age-group competitions compared to those born later [6]. Wattie et al [4] proposed a theoretical approach for understanding RAEs phenomenon, which is based on Newell’s triangular framework of interacting constraints [7]. Task constraints include the demands and determinants of a specific sport.
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