Relative age effect

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine relative age effect (RAE) on distinctive variables and age groups in recreational football. Participants (N = 79,249) included male (n = 63,540) and female (n = 15,709) players aged 2 to 12 years. Data were gathered through an official database containing all licensed players in Denmark. Birthdate distributions were split by age category, sex, club size, year group size, and birth quarter (Q1 = January to March, Q4 = October to December). RAEs were calculated using chi-square analysis. Significant RAEs existed in all age categories (except females in U6 and below). The effect was most pronounced at the entry level among both males and females. Club size was not associated with RAEs, but were shown in smaller and midsized year groups, but were absent in larger year groups. The results of this study show that RAEs are present from early sport participation.