Relative age effect in european professional football. Analysis by position

  1. Salinero Martín, Juan José
  2. Pérez González, Benito
  3. Burillo, Pablo
  4. Lesma, Mª Luisa
Revista:
Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE

ISSN: 1988-5202

Año de publicación: 2013

Volumen: 8

Número: 4

Páginas: 966-973

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.4100/JHSE.2013.84.07 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openRUA editor

Otras publicaciones en: Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE

Resumen

The relative age effect (RAE) in sport consists in the lower presence of athletes born in the months furthest from the cut off date established by the competitive system, which normally coincides with the last months of the year. The purpose of this study is to assess if there is an RAE in European professional football, where the current cut off age for training in the different categories is based on the calendar year; and its analysis by position on the playing field. The analysis has included all the footballers playing in the league championships in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Spain (N= 2763). The results of our study confirm an RAE in professional football in Italy, France and Spain. When differentiated by playing position there is a different RAE incidence in the five championships analyzed.

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