Relative age effect: implications for effective practice

Andronikos, Georgios; Elumaro, Adeboye Israel; Westbury, Tony; Martindale, Russell J. J.

Abstract

Physical and psychological differences related to birthdate amongst athletes of the same selection year have been characterised as the “relative age effects” (RAEs). RAEs have been identified in a variety of sports, both at youth and adult level, and are linked with dropout of athletes and a reduction of the talent pool. This study examined the existence, mechanisms and possible solutions to RAEs using qualitative methodology. Seven experts in the field of talent identification and development were interviewed. Inductive analysis of the data showed that, while there was mixed evidence for the existence of RAEs across sports, the eradication of RAEs was attributed to controllable features of the development environment. The factors reported included the structure of “categories” used to group athletes within the sport (e.g. age, weight, size, skills), recognition and prioritisation of long-term development over “short term win focus.” Education of relevant parties (e.g. coaches, scouts, clubs) about RAEs and the nature of “talent” within a long-term context was suggested, along with careful consideration of the structure of the development environment (e.g. delayed selection, provision for late developers, focus on skills not results, use of challenge). Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Citation

Andronikos, G., Elumaro, A. I., Westbury, T., & Martindale, R. J. J. (2016). Relative age effect: implications for effective practice. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(12), 1124-1131. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1093647

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 3, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2015
• Publication Date: Jun 17, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 11, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 11, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Sports Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0264-0414
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-447X
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1124-1131
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1093647
• Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/439034
• Contract Date: May 11, 2017