Relative Age Effect in Elite German Soccer: Influence of Gender and Competition Level

Götze, Martin; Hoppe, Matthias

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.587023

Cited by 32 publications

(50 citation statements)

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“…Also, it is possible that the difference observed by gender on RAE can be related to the level of attraction of a sport for girls and boys and variations of competition levels (Baker et al, 2010). Götze and Hoppe (2021) suggest that other reason could be a less intense competition within a team to make the starting line-up.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Soccer and Futsal Affected by the Relative Age Effect? The Portuguese Football Association Case

et al. 2021

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A better understanding of the relative age effect (RAE) in youth will increase the awareness of the need for reducing the bias of (de)selection. Thus, we investigated the RAE in youth female and male soccer and futsal players in Portugal, using nationwide data. Birthdates of 5,306 female and 126,285 male soccer players, and 2,437 female and 23,988 male futsal players (U7–U19), registered in Portugal during the season 2019–2020, and Portuguese National teams (from U15 to AA soccer teams and from U17 to AA futsal teams) were analyzed. Data were categorized into age groups and certification levels [no certification, basic football training center, football school, and training institution] of the respective clubs/academies. Birthdates were stratified from the start of the selection year using quartiles (Q) and semesters (S). Differences between the observed and expected birthdate distributions were analyzed using chi-square statistics, and RAEs were calculated using odds ratios (OR). In both soccer and futsal, female players, in the age category U9, RAEs were found (Q1 vs. Q4, OR: 1.49 and 1.84, respectively). In male soccer, differences in the birthdate distribution were observed in all age categories (U7–U19) with significant OR between all comparisons (Q and S). In contrast, an over-representation of young male futsal players (Q1 vs. Q4) was observed only in the age categories U7 and U9 (OR: 1.54 and 1.34, respectively). The stratification by certification level showed a significant RAE for all certification levels in male soccer players. In contrast, in male futsal players, the RAE was significant only in clubs and academies with the highest level. For National teams, the RAE was more pronounced in male soccer, particularly in the U16 and U17 (OR: 9.84 and 12.36, respectively). Data showed a RAE in female and male youth soccer and futsal, particularly in male, younger age categories, and in clubs and academies having a higher certification level, which could be accompanied by a loss of valuable elite players during the youth phase of their careers. Thus, adjustments in the systems and structure of talent identification are recommended to prevent RAE-related discrimination in youth soccer and futsal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Soccer and Futsal Affected by the Relative Age Effect? The Portuguese Football Association Case

et al. 2021

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“…Furthermore, larger RAEs were reported by Schroepf and Lames (2018) in U16 youth national teams (Mdn = week 12). Among other explanations, this might be because coaches of higher selection levels experience more pressure for current (instead of future) success in competition and, thus, may be more likely to select older players with potentially higher current performance levels (Votteler and Höner, 2017;Götze and Hoppe, 2021).…”

Section: Extent Of Relative Age Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative Age-Related Biases in Objective and Subjective Assessments of Performance in Talented Youth Soccer Players

Leyhr

Bergmann

Schreiner

et al. 2021

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Talent research has recommended that multidimensional assessments of performance are needed to improve the identification and development of talented young athletes. However, factors such as the relative age effect may cloud our ability to assess factors related to performance. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of any relationship between soccer players' chronological and relative age, and objective and subjective performance assessments. Data for highly talented male soccer players selected into the German Soccer Associations' talent promotion program (N = 16,138) for U12 to U15 age groups (Mage = 12.62 ± 1.04 years) were examined. Besides anthropometric assessments, players completed a battery of five motor tests that objectively assessed speed abilities and technical skills (specifically sprint, agility, dribbling, ball control, and juggling). In addition, coaches subjectively rated players on their kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills, as well as providing holistic evaluations of each player's current and future performance levels. Correlation analyses were used to investigate the extent of any relationships between the chronological and relative age of players and their results for each of the assessments. A strong linear decrease in the frequency of later-born players confirmed the overrepresentation of early-born players in all age groups (0.92 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.95, each p < 0.001). From U12 to U15, significant (each p < 0.001) correlations were found between the chronological age of players and their height (|r| = 0.70), weight (|r| = 0.69), speed abilities (|r| = 0.38), and technical skills (|r| = 0.43). When evaluating each age group separately, small effects were found when correlating relative age with the anthropometric assessments (0.18 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.26), and only trivial effects with speed abilities and technical skills (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.06). Similarly, low correlations were found for the subjective evaluations of kicking, tactical, and psychosocial skills with chronological age across age groups (0.03 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.07), and with relative age in each age group (0.01 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.11). The results show a skewed distribution toward early-born players and—in reference to their relative age—advanced performance in late-born athletes. However, trends toward a better holistic rating of early-born players for current and future performance levels were found. Coaches should be aware of these effects during talent selection, but also when interpreting results from subjective and objective assessments of performance.

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“…Despite the fact that RAE is a widely investigated phenomenon in soccer, most research on this topic referred to European leagues [17,18]. the European context has different characteristics from Brazil with regard to organizational structure, competitive level, selection, training, and development of talents for soccer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relative age effect in Brazilian elite soccer depending on age category, playing position, and competitive level

Figueiredo¹,

Gomes²,

Silva³

et al. 2021

Hum Mov.

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Purpose. this study investigated the occurrence of relative age effect (RAE) in Brazilian elite soccer athletes depending on age categories, playing position, and competitive level. Methods. Data from 2660 male elite soccer athletes who participated in the 2019 Brazilian soccer championships were analysed. to determine RAE, the players were divided by their quarter of birth: Q1 (January-March), Q2 (April-June), Q3 (July-September), and Q4 (October-December). Data were obtained from the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) official website, and from each club's website when no information was available at the CBF website. Were included the athletes who participated in the 2019 Brazilian soccer championships in series A and B. Data were organized in accordance with age categories (under-20 or senior), playing position (forwards, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers), and competitive level (Series A or B).Results. An overrepresentation of soccer players born in the first quarter of the year was found when compared with the other quarters, whereas players born in the last quarter of the year were underrepresented, regardless of the age category and competitive level. Regarding playing position, an overrepresentation of soccer players born in the first quarter of the year was found for all playing positions in both age categories, except for the goalkeepers in the senior category. Conclusions. Our results showed a prevalence of RAE in U-20 and senior age categories in elite Brazilian soccer athletes, in both competitive levels, and for all playing positions, except for goalkeepers in the senior category.

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Relative Age Effect in Elite German Soccer: Influence of Gender and Competition Level

Cited by 32 publications

References 44 publications

Are Soccer and Futsal Affected by the Relative Age Effect? The Portuguese Football Association Case

Are Soccer and Futsal Affected by the Relative Age Effect? The Portuguese Football Association Case

Relative Age-Related Biases in Objective and Subjective Assessments of Performance in Talented Youth Soccer Players

The relative age effect in Brazilian elite soccer depending on age category, playing position, and competitive level

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