Identifying talented athletes at an early age has become one of the major issues in many competitive sports (Abbott & Collins, 2004). The relative age, which refers to the difference in age between children in the same selection year, has a significant influence in the talent identification process for many sports (Musch & Grondin, 2001). The primary purpose of this study was to determine, if the relative age effect (RAE) exists in elite junior soccer and ice hockey players in Switzerland. Methods: 344 Swiss male elite junior ice hockey (age 15.3±1 yr.) and 183 soccer players (age 15.2±1.4 yr.), members of the national teams U15-U20, were evaluated. The year was divided into four quarters (Q1: January, February, March; Q2: April, May, June; Q3: July, August, September and Q4 October, November, December). The percentage of players born in the respective quartiles was compared to the distribution of male births in Switzerland (expected frequencies), which were obtained from the Swiss Federal Institute of Statistics. Statistical comparisons were calculated using the chi-square test. Results: The RAE was found with a distribution of Q1=53.0%, Q2=18.0%, Q3=19.7%, Q4=9.3% for soccer and Q1=42.4%, Q2=27.6%, Q3=19.5%, Q4=10.5% for ice hockey. The month of birth distribution differed statistically significantly from that of the general Swiss male population for the respective years in both groups (p<0.001). The data concerning Q1 highlighted an over-representation of players, whereas a decreasing number of players were born in the subsequent months. Discussion: The RAE that exists in many competitive sports worldwide is clearly evident in the selection process of elite junior soccer and ice hockey players in Switzerland. In particular, the chance of being selected to a national team is 5-fold higher for Q1 compared to Q4. Our results suggest, that a significant part of what coaches see as early talent may be explained by the relative age advantage. To avoid this effect in the future, we propose a more equitable slotting system into age divisions with three rotating calendar cut-off dates.
© Copyright 2009 14th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009, Book of Abstracts. Julkaistu Tekijä The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator