RESUMO
Athletes born closer to an arbitrary cut-off date are more likely to reach an elite level in sport, which is supported by a phenomenon called the relative age effect (RAE). It is important to determine whether this phenomenon is present in a sport to minimize this selection bias. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RAE in elite volleyball athletes, considering the influence of gender, the playing position (Setter, Middle, Libero, Opposite, and Outside Hitter) and the performance level (attack points, aces, and block points). The sample comprised 203 male and 193 female athletes competing in the Superliga A in the 2020/2021 season, which was equivalent to all of the teams of the championship. The data collection was performed during May and June, 2021. Athletes were organized according to gender, the playing position, and performance in the Superliga. For performance variables, athletes were separated based on the median value (90.0), and classified as high- or low-performance. Chi-squared tests were performed to verify differences between birth date distributions in relation to the aforementioned variables. Results indicated overrepresentation of relatively older male athletes (Q1 = 35.96%; Q2 = 27.59%; Q3 = 19.21%; Q4 = 17.24%), especially in Middles, Opposites, and Outside Hitters, regardless of their performance level. Considering females, no differences were found. Our findings suggest that RAE operates differently for men and women in elite Brazilian volleyball. The characteristics of the games played by male and female elite athletes may lead to different talent selection processes, affecting the likelihood of RAE prevalence.
RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the existence of relative age effect (RAE) in male futsal athletes that participated in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021,according to region and playing position.Methods: The birthdates of 384 male futsal athletes participating in the competition were collected from official websites. Players were divided accordingto their continents and playing positions, and the chi-square goodness-of-fit tests ( 2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birth-date absolute distributions for each group. Also, specific effect sizes (⍵) were calculated for each of the chi-square tests performed. Additionally, OddsRatio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the first and the last quarters of the year, as for semesters. Results: The overall analysis of the athletes indicated no presence of RAE in this sample, since an even distribution of birthdates was found ( 2 = 5.949; pχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birth= 0.114; = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated noω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated noRAE to elite international futsal athletes, since no differences were found between the observed and expected birthdate distributions.Conclusion: RAE is not prevalent on the international male elite futsal context. This effect was not associated with region or playing positions. From apractical perspective, it is important that selection processes consider the incidence of the RAE and give similar opportunities to athletes regardless oftheir birthdate.(AU)
Objetivo: Investigar la existencia del efecto de la edad relativa (EER) en atletas masculinos de fútbol sala que participaron en la Copa Mundial de Fútbol Sala FIFA Lituania 2021, según región y posición de juego.Métodos: Las fechas de nacimiento de 384 atletas masculinos de fútbol sala que participaron en la competencia fueron obtenidas de los sitios web oficiales. Se dividieron los jugadores de acuerdo con sus continentes y posiciones de juego, y se realizaron los testes de chi-cuadrado goodness-of-fit ( 2) χ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthpara comparar las distribuciones absolutas de fecha de nacimiento esperada y observada para cada grupo. Así, se calcularon tamaños de efecto específicos ( ) para cada tests de chi-cuadrado Además, se calcularon Odds Ratio (OR) e intervalos de confianza del 95% para el primer y último ⍵trimestre del año, al igual que para los semestres. Resultados: El análisis general de los atletas indicó que no existe EER en esta muestra, ya que se encontró una distribución uniforme de las fechas de nacimiento ( 2 = 5.949; p = 0.114; = 0.124). Los análisis de regiones también no indicaron presencia de EER. Cuando se consideraron las posiciones deχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated nojuego, una vez más los análisis no indicaron EER para los atletas, ya que no se encontraron diferencias entre las distribuciones de fechas de nacimiento observadas y esperadas.Conclusiones: El EER no prevalece en el contexto internacional del fútbol sala de élite masculino. Este efecto no se asoció con la región o las posiciones de juego. En la práctica, es importante que en el proceso de selección considerérese la incidencia de EER y que hay oportunidades similares a los atletas independientemente de su fecha de nascimiento.(AU)
Objetivo: Investigar a existência de efeito de idade relativa (EIR) em atletas masculinos de futsal que participaram da Copa do Mundo de Futsal FIFALituânia 2021, de acordo com a região e posição de jogo.Métodos: As datas de nascimento de 384 atletas masculinos de futsal que participam da competição foram coletadas de sites oficiais. Os jogadores foramdivididos de acordo com seus continentes e posições de jogo, e os testes qui-quadrado de aderência ( 2) foram realizados para comparar as distribuiçõesχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthabsolutas esperadas e observadas de nascimento para cada grupo. Assim, foram calculados tamanhos de efeito específicos ( ) para cada um dos testes⍵qui-quadrado realizados. Adicionalmente, foram calculados Odds Ratio (ORs) e intervalos de confiança de 95% para o primeiro e último trimestres doano, assim como para os semestres.Resultados: A análise geral dos atletas não indicou a presença de EIR nesta amostra, uma vez que foi encontrada uma distribuição uniforme das datas denascimento ( 2 = 5.949; p = 0.114; = 0.124). As análises das regiões também não indicaram a presença de EIR. Ao considerar as posições de jogo, maisχ2) were performed to compare the expected and the observed birthω = 0.124). The regions analysed also indicated no presence of RAE. When playing positions were considered, once again analyses indicated nouma vez as análises não indicaram EIR para atletas de elite do futsal internacional, uma vez que não foram encontradas diferenças entre as distribuiçõesde datas de nascimento observadas e esperadas.Conclusões: O EIR não é prevalente no contexto internacional de futsal de elite masculino. Este efeito não foi associado à região ou às posições de jogo. Naprática, é importante que o processo de seleção de talentos considere a incidência do EIR e forneça oportunidades similares aos atletasindependentemente da sua data de nascimento.(AU)
