The Relative Age Effect on Physical Fitness among 12 Years Old Children in Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in fitness levels between children who are the same age but were born in different birth quartiles. 98 year six students (12 years old) from all around the state of Perak, boys and girls who do not have any unusual health conditions were used for the samples. Based on their quarter of birth, all children were divided into quarters: quarter 1 (q1: born between January and March), quarter 2 (q2: born between April and June), quarter 3 (q3: born between July and September), and quarter 4 (q4: born between October and December). Fitness tests will include body composition measurements (body weight, standing, and sitting heights, and arm span), standing broad jump test, sit and reach test, 30-meter sprint test, handgrip, step test, curl up test, stork stand test, and T-Test. The distribution of the participants was 98 children aged 12 years old (n =31 (31.6%), n = 27 (27.6%), n = 21 (21.4%) and n = 19 (19.4%)), from quarter 1, quarter 2, quarter 3 and quarter 4, respectively. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to compare four birth quartiles on twelve physical fitness tests. The multivariate test of the differences among the four groups was significant, f(12,85)=.043, Roy's Lambda = 0.272. Children born in the first quarter of the year were found to be more talented than those born in the last quarter.