Sport Exerc Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: What's to Worry?

Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: What's to Worry?

Four reasons why we should screen for dissociation in competitive sports

Four reasons why we should screen for dissociation in competitive sports

Prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders through physical activity, exercise, and sport

Prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders through physical activity, exercise, and sport

Time to go green?

Time to go green?

Understanding and predicting the actions decisions of individuals in team and multiagent task contexts

Introduction: Effective team behaviour requires that co-actors reciprocally coordinate their actions with respect to each other and changing task demands. Pivotal to the structural organization of such behaviour is the ability of actors to effectively decide how and when to act, with robust decision-making differentiating expert from novice performance. Indeed, task expertise reflects the trained attunement of actors to information that best specifies what action possibilities will ensure task success1. The current study explored whether state-of-the art Supervised Machine Learning (SML), Long-Short Term Memory artificial neural networks (LSTMNN), and explainable-AI could be employed to model, predict, and explicate the action decisions of expert and novice individuals during team performance. Methods: We modelled the target selection decisions of pairs of expert and novice individuals playing a simulated, fast paced herding game2. For this task, pairs of players controlled virtual herder agents to corral a herd of four virtual cows (targets), dispersed around a game field. We then used the recorded performance data to training LSTMNN, via SML, to predict the future target selection decisions of players. Following model development and validation, we then analysed the resultant LSTMNN models using the explainable-AI technique SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP)3 to identify the different sources of task information that defined the action decisions of expert and novice players. Results: Using 1 second task state information sequences, we were able to train LSTMNN models to successfully predict the target selection decisions of both expert and novice players at an average accuracy above 95%. Moreover, accurate target predictions could be made between 640 ms and 2.4 seconds prior to player decisions being enacted or observable within the state input sequence. Another key finding was that the LSTMNN models were expertise specific; when the expertise level of the training and test data was mismatched, prediction performance dropped to near chance levels. The SHAP analysis revealed that this specificity was because experts were more influenced by information about the state of their co-herders and target direction of motion information compared to novices. Discussion: The findings demonstrated how SML trained LSTMNN and the explainable-AI technique SHAP could provide powerful tools for understanding the decision-making process of human actors during team behaviour, including what information best supports optimal task performance. The implications for both basic scientific research and the applied development of task training and decision-making assessment tools are significant. References 1Araujo D, Davids K, Hristovski R. The ecological dynamics of decision making in sport. Psychol Sport Exerc, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 653–676, 2006. 2Rigoli LM, et al. Employing Models of Human Social Motor Behavior for Artificial Agent Trainers. in Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2020), 2020, p. 9. 3Lundberg SM, et al. From local explanations to global understanding with explainable AI for trees. Nat Mach Intell, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 56–67, 2020.

A proposed innovation model for public organizations: empirical results from federal government innovation experts in the United Arab Emirates

Innovation management and associated modeling have garnered significant research interest in recent decades. The considerable interest in the topic resulted in the development of several innovation models for private and public sector organizations. A comprehensive literature review conducted by the authors of this paper on various innovation management models in the private and public sectors revealed that the majority of models share common stages. The authors presented the results of this study at a relevant international conference in 2018 that is published by IEEE and indexed by Scopus. However, it was seen that when modeling for the public sector, sufficient focus has not been placed on commercialization and practical utilization. The objective of the present study is, therefore, to develop an innovation model that allows public organizations to maximize commercialization and practical utilization. In this regard, interviews with innovation experts from different federal government entities in multiple emirates within the United Arab Emirates were conducted in order to understand the current situation for the innovation management process in the UAE government. The data from interviews were collected, conceptualized, and organized for ease of management using a Thematic Analysis approach (Braun and Clarke in Qual Res Sport Exerc Health 11(4):589–597, 2019). The outputs were analyzed to identify common themes in the results. Based on the results of the literature review, its comparative and content analysis and the results from the interviews an innovation model for public organizations is developed. The proposed model, focuses on three main areas: the type of innovation model, the stages in the entire process, and the tools associated with each stage. The proposed model is useful in that it addresses the critical aspect of commercialization and operational sustainability of the ideas, which was absent in the majority of existing models. The proposed model could help government entities identify, generate and conceptualize ideas for improvements, thereby exploiting new services that are more effective and efficient.

The effects of attentional focus in the preparation and execution of a standing long jump.

Attentional focus research suggests an external focus leads to improved motor performance compared to an internal focus (Wulf in Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol 6:77-104, 2013), but skilled athletes often report using an internal focus (Fairbrother et al., Front Psychol 7:1028, 2016) and sometimes shifting between different foci in the preparation and execution phases of performance (Bernier et al. in J Appl Sport Psychol 23:326-341, 2011; Bernier et al. in Sport Psychol 30:256-266, 2016). To date, focus shifts have been unexplored in experimental research, thus the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of shifting focus between the preparation and execution phases of a standing long jump. Participants (N = 29) completed two jumps in a control condition (CON), followed by two jumps in four experimental conditions presented in a counterbalanced order. Conditions included using an external focus (EF) and internal focus (IF) in both preparation and execution of the skill, as well as shifting from an internal focus in preparation to an external focus in execution (ITE), and an external focus in preparation to an internal focus in execution (ETI). Jump distance was analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA. The main effect of condition was significant, p < .001, with EF producing longer jumps than all other conditions (p's < 0.05). ITE also generated farther jumps than IF and CON (p's < 0.05). The superiority of the EF and ITE conditions suggests that the focus employed in execution has the strongest impact on performance. Additionally, if an internal focus must be used in preparation, the performance decrement can be ameliorated by shifting to an external focus during execution.

The psychology of sport injury and rehabilitation: Where does it fit?

International Journal of Therapy and RehabilitationVol. 22, No. 11 OpinionThe psychology of sport injury and rehabilitation: Where does it fit?Monna Arvinen-BarrowMonna Arvinen-BarrowSearch for more papers by this authorMonna Arvinen-BarrowPublished Online:5 Nov 2015https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2015.22.11.508AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Arvinen-Barrow M, Clement D (2015) A preliminary investigation into athletic trainers' views and experiences of multidisciplinary team approach to sport injury rehabilitation. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care 7(3): 97–107 Crossref, Google ScholarArvinen-Barrow M, Hemmings B, Weigand D, Becker C, Booth L (2007) Views of chartered physiotherapists on the psychological content of their practice: A follow-up survey in the UK. J Sport Rehabil 16(2): 111–21 Crossref, Google ScholarArvinen-Barrow M, Penny G, Hemmings B, Corr S (2010) UK chartered physiotherapists' personal experiences in using psychological interventions with injured athletes. Psychol Sport Exerc 11(1): 58–66 Crossref, Google ScholarBrewer BW (2015) Behavioral Mediation of the Effects of Sport Injury Prevention Interventions. Presented at the 14th European Congress of Sport Psychology, 14–19 July: Bern, Switzerland Google ScholarClement D, Arvinen-Barrow M (2013) Sport medicine team influences in rehabilitation. In: Arvinen-Barrow MWalker N, eds. The Psychology of Sport Injury and Rehabilitation. Routledge, Abingdon: 156–70 Google ScholarClement D, Granquist MD, Arvinen-Barrow MM (2013) Psychosocial aspects of athletic injuries as perceived by athletic trainers. J Athl Train 48(4): 512–21 Crossref, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 November 2015Volume 22Issue 11ISSN (online): 1759-779X Metrics History Published online 5 November 2015 Published in print 2 November 2015 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Self-compassion and Eudaimonic Well-Being During Emotionally Difficult Times in Sport

Evidence is emerging for the potential usefulness of self-compassion (Neff in Self Identity 2:223–250, 2003a) in young women athletes’ sport experiences (Mosewich et al. in J Sport Exerc Psychol 33:103–123, 2011, J Sport Exerc Psychol 35:514–524, 2013). However, it is unclear whether extending compassion towards the self contributes to or thwarts athletes’ psychological well-being (i.e., eudaimonic well-being) in sport. The purpose of this study was to examine self-compassion during emotionally difficult sport situations in relation to eudaimonic well-being in sport. Women athletes (N = 137; M age = 19 years) completed an online survey including measures of self-compassion, eudaimonic well-being, and reactions to hypothetical, emotionally difficult, sport scenarios. Pearson bivariate correlations were used to examine relationships among study variables, and Preacher and Hayes’ (Behav Res Methods 40:879–891, 2008) SPSS macro was used to explore models of indirect effects. The relationship between self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in the sport domain was generally supported, with significant correlations between self-compassion and autonomy, meaning and vitality in sport, and body appreciation (rs = .18–.47, p < .05). Significant indirect effects suggest that (1) self-compassionate athletes have greater eudaimonic well-being in sport primarily through higher positivity and perseverance, as well as lower passivity in reaction to emotionally difficult sport situations, and (2) self-critical reactions suppress the relationships between self-compassion and eudaimonia in sport. The pattern of findings suggests that compassionately relating to the self might be advantageous for aspects of young women athletes’ psychological well-being in sport. Specifically, having a kind and understanding self-attitude might nurture constructive reactions to emotionally difficult sport situations. Findings can inform future research aimed at better understanding how self-compassion is linked with optimal psychological functioning in sport.

Physical self-efficacy in women’s artistic gymnastic between recreational and competitive level

Gomez-Paloma, F., Rio, L. & D’Anna, C. (2014). Physical self-efficacy in women’s artistic gymnastic between recreational and competitive level. J. Hum. Sport Exerc, 9(Proc1), pp.S341-S347. In Bandura’s theory (1997, 2001), self-efficacy is the cognitive mechanism that mediates information on personal capacities to successfully execute necessary courses of action in a specific domain. It is theorized that self-efficacy belief influences motivation, affect and behaviour. Self-efficacy regarding motor activities has been widely investigated (Feltz, 1992) and represents a frame of reference to explain links between cognitive processes and physical performance (Colella & Morano, 2008). The purpose of the study was to verify the difference in physical self-efficacy (perceived) between gymnasts practicing sports at recreational level and gymnasts, however, which train at a competitive level. The Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children by Colella (2008) was presented to a sample of 58 gymnasts, 29 practicing sports at recreational level and 29 practicing sports at competitive level in random selection, ranging in age from 8 to 10 years old. The items of the PPASC are: speed, ability, strength, rapidity, self-confidence and tiredness. They are structured in response scales having a 1- to 4-point format. Observing the results of the descriptive statistics in the whole sample it is obvious how the perceived physical abilities are very high in all items. The artistic gymnastic is a sport in which these aspects of physical abilities are trained specifically. The children say that they run fast (77 %), they are able to do difficult exercises (77%), their muscles are strong (68%) and move rapidly (71%). Slightly lower values are those related to self-confidence, the 48% say that they feel sure when they move but the 32% say that they feel somewhat insure when they move, and the value of energy, 50% say I don’t feel tired when I move, but the 25% say that they feel tired. The difference between the values of the two levels of gymnastic report in the competitive groups is higher in physical self-efficacy in all items than in the recreational group. These data could suggest that the quantity of the trainings and, at the same time, the improvement of the quality of the performance increases the Perceived Physical Ability. The results of the test is particularly high and considering it globally, confirms that, in any case, the physical activities, even if only practiced as recreational activity, produces positive

Opinions about judo athletes’ image

Zaggelidis G, Mavrovouniotis F, Argyriadou E, Ciucurel MM. Opinions about judo athletes’ image. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. 2, pp. 322-333, 2013. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate opinions of persons who are involved with judo about judo athletes’ personality. METHODS: For this purpose 132 coaches, athletes, students of Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DEPESS) and students of military school answered to a 35-item questionnaire describing their image towards judo athletes, in regard to social, volition, active, physical and emotional nature. RESULTS: statistical analysis showed that all the groups rated from the average, to somewhat strong and, also, to strong, while coaches rated higher to the most items. More specifically, one way ANOVA revealed significant differences, with coaches rating significantly higher, in the items of “being healthy” in physical nature (F=2.85, p<0.05), in items “having proper manner” and “being sincere” in social nature, (F=3.41, p<0.05 and F=3.09, p<0.05 respectively), “being positive” in active nature (F=3.95, p<0.05). Also in the items “being mild” (F=3.04, p<0.05), “being cheerful” (F=3.60, p<0.05) and “being carefree” (F=2.98, p<0.05) in emotional nature. Moreover, students of military school rating significantly higher in the item of “being cautious” in active nature (F=2.51, p<0.05) and in the item of “having power of concentration” in active nature both students of military school and of DEPESS rating significantly higher (F=5.66, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The high rating in the most items might be due to the nature of the attitudes provided and cultured during the judo lessons, practice time and matches. Moreover, the differences between the groups for the coaches group

Employment time-out in volleyball formative stages

Fernandez-Echeverria C, Gil A, Garcia-Gonzalez L, Carrasco F, Claver F, Del Villar, F. Employment timeout in volleyball formative stages. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc3, pp. S591-S600, 2013. The main objective of the research was to analyze the characteristics of the time-outs requested in the Spanish Championship of Regional Selections in 2010 (Under-14 and Under-16, male and female categories). To this end, 232 timeouts were analyzed, a game of each of the teams participating in the championship was collected. The variables considered in the study were: number of consecutive serves of the opposing team that run until the time-out was ordered, number of serves that are made until the team requesting the timeout gets the serve, points of difference between the teams at the moment the time-out was ordered and moment of the set in what the time-out was ordered. The results showed that: more than 64% of cases, the team orders the time-out when the opposing team pass two serves or less; in 75% of cases, the team that orders the time-out gets the serve when the opposing team spends two serves or less; 37% of time-outs were ordered with a difference of 2, 3 or 4 points, and 40% with a difference of 5 points or more. In addition, time-outs were distributed balanced in the different moments of the set, moment 1 or initial part of the set (34.5%), moment 2 or intermediate part of the set (34.1%) and moment 3 or final part of the set (31.5%). Key words: TIMES OF REST, CRITICAL MOMENTS, TEAM SPORTS, FORMATIVE CATEGORIES.

Assessment of physical activity level in office employees groups in Albania

Bozo D, Pano G, Citozi R. Assessment of physical activity level in office employees groups in Albania. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. Proc2, pp. S152-S164, 2013. Insufficient PA is very common in office employees and due to this they are at higher risk for metabolic, cardiovascular and many more other health related risk factor diseases. There is a lack of data regarding the PA level of office employees groups in Albania. Thus the aim of this paper was to identify the PA level in typical representative groups of this category. A total of 164 randomly selected office employees, out of which 97 (52 females and 45 males) from one mobile company and 67 (37 females and 30 males) from a bank, participated in this study. An Albanian modified and adapted version of the an International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess some indicators dealing with all kinds of PA jobs, everyday life and leisure and time expenditure on PAs of different intensity. The weekly activity level was measured through time, frequency and intensity, expressed in MET*minute/week. The subjects were classified in 3 main PA categories: HIGH (1500-3000 MET*min), MODERATE (600-1300 MET*min) and LOW (<600 MET*min). The results show that both groups declared an average PA Level classified under the LOW category. The values of the mobile company group was around 950 MET*min with a difference between the genders of 280 MET*min (1070 in males and 790 in females); while the bank group revealed lower values, i.e. 890 MET*min as average and a difference of 220 MET*min between the two genders (980 in males against 760 of females). The differences between the two groups under investigation can be explained through various factors such as the general PA gender differences, type of sedentary work, type of different work position/role and working spaces. These results may be also a consequence of improper individual activity habits, low information and awareness of health benefits of PA and lack of proper promotion for a healthy and active lifestyle. Key words: SEDENTARITY, OFFICE EMPLOYEES, ALBANIA, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL, PA QUESTIONNAIRE.

Levels of physical activity in Spanish adolescents (aged 12 to 14) measured by accelerometry

Ramirez-Rico E, Fernandez E, Blandez J. Levels of physical activity in spanish adolescents (aged 12 to 14) measured by accelerometry. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. 2, pp. 401-411, 2013. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Spanish adolescents studied attain a level of physical activity, which complies with current guidelines for this age group. 90 adolescents (54 girls and 36 boys) aged 12 to 14 took part in the study. Information was gathered on their activity for a week, using accelerometry. The results show that these young people do not attain the levels of physical activity currently recommended, the results for girls being lower. The results are somewhat better if we include other less demanding patterns of activity. The findings suggest that boys and girls of this age exhibit a level of physical activity, which is closer to the recommendations of the early 1990s than the levels currently recommended for the

Reliability &amp; linearity of an electronic body protector employed in taekwondo games: a preliminary study

Tasika N. Reliability & linearity of an electronic body protector employed in taekwondo games: a preliminary study. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc3, pp. S622-S632, 2013. An official electronic body protector (EBP) requires both, the necessary degree of accuracy and consistency in securing the same result under similar conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the repeatability and linearity of a taekwondo EBP. A commercially available EBP that registers the energy (E) of a in Joules was placed unfolded on a hard non-deformable surface. Ten potential hit areas were marked on the EBP's surface. To simulate kicking conditions a 4 kg iron shot attached to a switch operated electromagnet was systematically released against the EBP from three randomly selected heights (1.78m, 1.92m, and 2.00m). The shot was released 5 times repeatedly from each height on each of the 10 areas. The procedure was repeated after a 30min interval. Reliability was assessed by the test-retest method using Chronbach's alpha, Guttman split half and ICC, and the coefficient of variation (%CV). The overall (10 sites pooled together) CV was 4.8%.

Action sequence analysis in team handball

Schrapf N, Tilp M. Action sequence analysis in team handball. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc3, pp. S615-S621, 2013. The analysis of game situations in sports games is essential for development of successful game tactics and planning of training. Carling (2008) suggested analyzing action sequences because the study of single actions only gives restricted insight into team’s behavior. The aim of the present study is to analyze action sequences in team handball to identify offensive behaviors. For the study 6 games from the EURO-Men-18 in Austria were recorded. Special categories for annotation were defined to assess single actions which then have been merged into action sequences. Shots and up to 5 passes prior the shot were annotated with custom-made software. Out of 3212 actions, each containing information about video time stamp and ground position, the software generated 612 action sequences. To identify different behaviours, similar action sequences were determined using artificial neuronal network software (Perl, 2002). To optimize network performance the dataset was enlarged with noise of 15% to a quantity of 3060 action sequences. Subsequently, the network with a dimension of 400 neurons was trained. Each neuron represents an action sequence pattern. Similar neurons are grouped to clusters representing similar behaviour. The artificial network recognized 32 clusters. Additional, 10 single neurons could not be classified to a cluster. Therefore, 42 different offensive team behaviours were identified whereby 8 clusters represented 49% of the actions sequences. The study revealed the potential to identify playing patterns by analyzing action sequences with artificial neuronal networks. Expert review of the recognized patterns showed a promising accordance with actual playing patterns. Future steps will be the detection of preferred tactics in single teams, the integration of goal success and the identification of successful offensive tactics.

The hot hand phenomenon: measurement issues using golf as an exemplar

Heath L, James N, Smart L. The hot hand phenomenon: measurement issues using golf as an exemplar. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc2, pp. S141-S151, 2013. The so called “hot hand” phenomenon (phrase coined by American basketball fans) refers to the commonly held belief amongst sports fans, coaches and players that sports players can, on occasion, produce sequences of consistently superior (compared to their normal) performance. Gilovich, Vallone and Tversky (1985) first alerted the scientific community to this phenomenon but concluded that the belief in the hot hand was nothing more than a misperception of random sequences. Researchers have argued that the statistical methods used to test the hypothesis of randomness and its antithesis streakiness (a more inclusive term for hot hand) were flawed. Golf was used as an exemplar for a sport where there is no clear success and fail outcome, unlike basketball shooting. Success in golf has usually been compared against “par or better” or “birdie or better” although these measures are the same for all players irrespective of their standard and don’t account for the hole difficulty on the day the hole is played. A momentum chart was used to identify potentially streaky performance and this data was then compared with the non-streaky data using the chi square test of independence. This approach would seem to satisfy a perceived limitation in previous approaches to evaluating streakiness where the whole sequence of performances is assessed for streakiness as opposed to just the streaky portions. Furthermore this approach allows streaky performance to contain a few non-successful performances. However future research needs to test this methodology out more rigorously using an appropriate criterion for success that is relevant to the skill level of the performer and the hole difficulty. Key words: STREAKINESS, MOMENTUM, GOLF, SUCCESS CRITERIA, SKILL LEVEL.

Video analysis as an instrument in juvenile soccer training

Tursi D, Napolitano S, Polidoro L, Raiola G. Video analysis as an instrument in juvenile soccer training. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc3, pp. S688-S693, 2013. In the Soccer, one of the most important variables to execute an effective action, it is the time needed by the athlete to complete his own movement (Nicoletti and Borghi,2007). The objective of this work is to verify if a systematic approach of modeling (Bandura, 1997) on a sample, using video analysis and field activities, lead to significant changes in the control group, for technical skills learning in children 9-10 years playing Soccer. Both groups were videotaped in the execution of three technical gestures (guide, control and shooting) and evaluated, through a grid created “ad hoc” by the technician, every three months. The data in the three phase evaluations (input, on going and final) and their analysis and comparison with data from the control group, showed a significant positive difference between the sample group and the control group (+7%). In particular, the third phase showed a minor improvement (+2%) compared to improvement between the first and second phase in the sample group (+7.4%), while a substantial balance between the control group (+2%). The experiment confirms the hypothesis and show the incidence of the use of video analysis as a tool for teaching and assessment of technical fundamentals in soccer game, giving great importance of

Colour contrast and regulation of the long jump approach run

Theodorou A, Ioakimidou E, Kouris P, Panoutsakopoulos V, Smpokos E. Colour contrast and regulation of the long jump approach run. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 8, No. Proc3, pp. S681-S687, 2013. Research has shown that visual perception of the take-off board and the subsequent regulation of the approach run occur 4-5 strides prior to take-off. Contrast in visual perception is determined by the difference in colour and occurs when a surface of one colour induces its antagonist colour in an adjoining surface. The aim of the present study was to investigate if colour contrast between the track surface and the board affects the stride regulation pattern at the long jump approach run. Four long jumpers performed long jumps in two different occasions: 6 from a runway track coloured blue, with a white take-off board and 6 from a modified yellow board. The runway was marked and the approach runs were recorded with a panning camera. Toeboard distance (TBD) for each support phase in every run-up and the percentage distribution of adjustment of the regulated strides was calculated. With the white take-off board, the average TBD variability reached its peak value (21.74cm) on the 5th stride from the board and at a distance of 9.77m from take-off point. With the yellow take-off board the average TBD variability culminated (24.80cm) on the 7th stride from the board and at a distance of 13.40m from take-off point. With the white board, 80% of the adjustment was distributed during the last two strides as opposed to 61% with the yellow board. When a take-off board of a colour complementary to the runway’s blue track surface is used, athletes initiated their regulation 2 strides earlier. This may be attributed to an enhanced visual perception of the approaching target allowing a more uniform distribution of adjustments during the last two strides of the approach. Key words: PERCEPTION, VISUAL REGULATION, TAKE-OFF BOARD

Is the date of birth an advantage/ally to excel in handball?

Sanchez-Rodriguez C, Grande I, Sampedro J, Rivilla-Garcia J. Is the date of birth an advantage/ally to excel in handball? J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. Proc3, pp. S754-S760, 2013. The Relative Age Effect (RAE) has been analyzed in a population of Spanish international handball players (n=161) divided into four different levels: Senior, Junior, Juvenile and Promising Talents. The variables registered were quarter, half year and year of birth using the initial information of their date of birth. The data were collected from the Royal Spanish Handball Federation on-line data base. The statistical method used was the χ 2 and the minimum level of significance was set at p<0.05. The total results on distribution by quarter show a significant difference (χ 2 = 21.68; p<0.01) with a greater frequency of players born in the first quarter (40.37%) compared to those born in the second (22.36%), third (16.15%) and fourth quarter (21.12%). The total results on the distribution of birth date by half year show a significant difference (χ 2 = 10.44; p<0.01) with a greater frequency of players born in the first half of the year (62.73%). With regard to the rate of births registered in an even numbered or odd numbered year there are significant differences when the rates for an even numbered year (64.60%) and an odd numbered year (35.40%) are compared with those of the general population (χ 2 = 13.72; p<0.001). Based on the data collected and analyzed it can be concluded that there is a RAE in the basic categories of the Spanish national men’s handball teams according to quarter, half year and year of birth (even or odd numbered), but there exists little knowledge about the causes and consequence which may be produced by, or derive from, this effect. Key words: RELATIVE AGE EFFECT (RAE), TALENT, SELECTION, DETECTION, IDENTIFICATION, SPORT.